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Pakistani cricketers were on Saturday greeted by a storm of criticism on their arrival back home following a disastrous campaign in the Champions Trophy.

The national team flew into Lahore from New Delhi on Saturday evening, a day after it put in what Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer described as the side’s worst performance in recent years.

Younis Khan’s men flopped miserably in the ‘Mini World Cup’, failing to qualify for the semifinals following back to-back losses including a humiliating 124-run defeat at the hands of South Africa.

Cricket pundits and fans were shocked at the way Pakistan lost against New Zealand and South Africa, questioning the way wickets were thrown away through careless shot selection by the batsmen.

“I just want to ask one question,” said Imran Khan, a disgruntled fan. “Was our team sent to India to play cricket or to celebrate Diwali?” asked the post office worker referring to the photographs splashed in local newspapers showing the Pakistani cricketers celebrating the Hindu festival of lights ahead of their crunch game against South Africa.

Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 89 by the South Africans in a winner-takes-all match. It was a shocking performance from the Pakistanis who had began well with a win over Sri Lanka.

“Our batsmen were playing as if they didn’t know how to bat. The way they are going, I don’t think there is any reason for us to wait for the World Cup. Our team is facing a massacre in it,” said Syed Akram, a student.

Former skipper Imran Khan attacked the Pakistan team think tank for being too defensive saying that the Greenshirts are relying heavily on bits and pieces players. “What our team needs is specialists batsmen and strike bowlers,” Imran said following the Mohali shocker. “We need bowlers like (Mohammad) Sami and Danish Kaneria,” he said.
Source:The News

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