The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

Tournament sports is very unique. Although they usually tend to be over a relatively short frame, the months and years and preparation needed for them can never be understated.

Just look at England’s 2019 World Cup-winning team for example. It’s almost ironic that again it would be England’s Three Lions who would be under the spotlight in 2023 for a team with a lack of preparation.

Pakistan who finished in fifth outside of the semi-final qualification, for the second successive World Cup running, also seemed under-cooked for the ongoing tournament as well.

Shaheen Afridi for a large part of this campaign wasn’t his same menacing self. On song Shaheen makes the off-stump cartwheel out of the ground, or toes get crushed with his deliveries.

For both England and the 2022 T20 runners-up Pakistan a transitional period is needed. What was their strength in Abu Dhabi (their middle order) was their weakness 12 months later in Australia.

The whole host of retirements left Babar’s men depleted. A strange statement, but the talent cupboard just seems threadbare.

To say that about Pakistan is staggering. Oh, and another thing, this current crop of stars can’t play spin well at all, and nor do they have a premier spinner in their ranks.

What’s happened to Shadhab Khan’s form? The man was a world beater one minute and then couldn’t stop bowling full tosses the next.

It’s been like this since the Asia Cup! Ok, so the picture might seem bleak for Pakistan, but with players like Abu Hurairah and Qasim Akram floating around club cricket, then blood these youngsters now!

Better late than never, but don’t drop Saud Shakeel ever. This is a very concerning period for the 1992 World Champions, but in theory, is it?

Bowling-wise, Naseem Shah has just approached his 20s as has Mohammed Hasnain and Waseem. Harris Rauf is the one who is the one who will be thinking he is coming towards the peak of his career.

We did a piece on England, if you didn’t read it you can do so here; https://the-sports-buff.com/2023/11/08/in-joe-roots-defence/

Then you will know why the focus is on Pakistan. With the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies next year, Pakistan’s transition needs to be sped up.

The men in green, are not a million miles away from the perfect team, but please sort out that middle order! Also, please get a World Class spinner!

No, Shoaib Malik, this isn’t an invitation for you to be recalled We need to progress guys, not regress!

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