"How are these guys so bad?" - Social media reacts as Pakistan struggle to chase 107 against Ireland in 2024 T20 World Cup
Pakistan ended their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign on a high after defeating Ireland in a Group A contest in Florida on Sunday (June 16). However, the batting performance was far from satisfactory as they nearly botched a straightforward 107-run chase after a prolific display with the ball.
The Men in Green were reduced to 62-6 in the 12th over, and it was the partnership for the seventh wicket between Babar Azam and Abbas Afridi that guided them over the finishing line. The skipper remained not out on 32 runs off 34 deliveries while Abbas chipped in with a crucial 17. In the end, it was Shaheen Afridi who wrapped things up with a couple of sixes.
Although they got away with the two points, the pressing concern for Pakistan was how vulnerable their batting looked throughout. The entire middle order of Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, and Shadab Khan could not register double figures and Ireland were easily able to penetrate into the lower middle order.
Fans criticized the Men in Green's woeful display with the bat which probably summarised their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign as a whole. Here are some of their reactions on X (formerly Twitter):
"This is pathetic and nonsense batting," one tweet read.
"This is why Babar doesn’t play aggressive cricket and puts such a huge price on his wicket," one user opined.
"Pakistan players knew Babar will play another slow knock, so the entire batting unit collapsed to justify it," another user remarked.
"In the batting we did not do well but we took it home with the tailenders" - Pakistan captain Babar Azam
The win over Ireland only comes as a consolation as Pakistan failed to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Their losses to co-hosts USA and India proved to be too costly as they finished third in Group A with four points from four matches.
"We finished well, we took early wickets in the bowling. In the batting we did not do well but we took it home with the tailenders. Bowling was good as conditions suit our fast bowlers. Batting we made a few mistakes, we had chances to win against USA and India. We will sit and assess where we went wrong. As a team we are not good in this tournament," Babar Azam said during the post-match presenation.
Pakistan have a lot of decisions to make regarding their batting personnel and approach, as both of them played a key role in their exit.