Former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who was part of the setup during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, recalled how many players in the Pakistan dugout were laughing the very next moment after their humiliating defeat to USA, which ended their chances of making it to the Super-8 of the tournament.
Pakistan have struggled to maintain their good form in this World Cup as well, especially when they have played against tough opponents like India and England. Pakistan’s journey in this edition started with a poor win against Netherlands, where they lost 7 wickets while chasing 147 runs.
They then won the second game against USA by 32 runs, before a dreadful night when they lost for the eighth time against India in an ICC T20 World Cup matchup. After a 61-run defeat to their rivals, they qualified for the Super-8s with a massive 102-run win over Namibia.
Mohammad Amir recalls a sad event for Pakistan from the 2024 World Cup
After the loss to England, it has become a difficult task for Pakistan to reach the semi-finals. For a time the game seemed to be going in favor of Pakistan, but the English captain single-handedly changed the course of the game.
Amidst this situation of crisis, Mohammad Aamir has recalled a similar situation during the previous edition of the World Cup. He recalled the tragic defeat to USA in the group stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup, which ended their chances of qualifying for the Super-8s that season.
Despite being out after a minor defeat, some players of the Babar Azam-led team were laughing within an hour of the defeat, behaving as if nothing had actually happened.
“Those who feel that they will not be able to sleep the whole night. I was very hurt. After USA’s defeat, there were players who were laughing and joking. Our flight was an hour after the match, and there were 2-3 players in the team who were busy laughing and joking. As if nothing had happened,” Mohammad Amir said in the show ‘Hasna Mana Hai’.
Mohammad Aamir accused Pakistani players of taking cricket lightly
Recalling the same incident, he realized that many players of Pakistan have started taking the game lightly and cricket is such a game that if you do not take it lightly then it will bring you back respect, but if you do not take it lightly then it will sideline you.
Many boys, I don’t want to name them, have taken cricket lightly. But cricket is such a game; If someone doesn’t take it lightly, it will continue to respect you. Otherwise, it will kick you out,” Aamir said via the above mentioned source.
This comment was not made to players then, but to many players even now who have not dedicated their 100% effort to the game. Pakistan have made many mistakes and missed easy chances, and their ground fielding has also been terrible.
“We have been beaten continuously in the last 4-5 years,” Mohammad Aamir said, providing a reality check for Pakistan.
Mohammad Aamir did not shy away from handing out reality checks one after the other to Pakistan players and PCB. He continued to say that Pakistan has been ruined in the last 4-5 years and instead mocked him saying that this was the first time we felt that Pakistan could win at one point; Otherwise, we would never have realized it.
Mohammad Amir said, “For the last 4-5 years, we are being beaten continuously. Whatever team comes, beat us. And easily. Today for some time we felt that we can win. Otherwise, since the last tournament till now, we had no hope that Pakistan will win.”
He further revealed how some players in the team have been given consistent support despite a lack of good performances over the years. “I think a lot of chances have been given to 4-5 players, who are your core. We have been talking for the last 4-5 years about how he has had enough chances. And they still haven’t delivered,” Aamir said.
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