"Seniors should be leading from the front not hiding behind youngsters" - Pakistan batter criticizes Rizwan and co. after loss to SA
Pakistan batter Ahmed Shahzad singled out the senior members of the team for their poor display that led to an 11-run defeat against South Africa in the first T20I in Durban on Tuesday, December 10. The Men in Green failed to chase down the 184-run target in place, and now trail 0-1 in the three-match affair.
Pakistan had made a brilliant start to the game, reducing the hosts to 28/3 midway through the powerplay. While they let the game slip in the middle overs, they bounced back with a flurry of wickets. The game hung in balance at 134/6, with the dangerous David Miller back in the pavilion. A late cameo by the returning George Linde propelled the Proteas in the death overs.
During the run chase, Babar Azam was dismissed for a four-ball duck, while skipper Mohammad RIzwan's approach against the climbing required run rate was also questionable. The opening batter took 50 deliveries to reach his half-century and was batting on 36 runs off 44 deliveries at one point. While he switched gears towards the end to finish with 74 runs off 62 balls, the damage was already done.
Ahmad Shahzad blamed the team for not learning from their previous mistakes, and highlighted the lack of intent during the run chase.
"Close but not good enough. Firstly letting South Africa to 180+from where they were in the game was unbelievable & then how we went to chase about this target was bizarre from beginning," Shahzad wrote on X after Pakistan's loss.
"Too many dot balls & lack of intent in the chase cost us what could have been a victory for Pakistan. Seniors should b leading from the front not hiding behind youngsters. Saim,Shaheen & Abrar were the positives," he added.
Shahzad has been vocal about Pakistan's shortcomings in the past, and has not refrained from speaking his mind. He was critical of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for their outdated approach and failures in recent times.
"We fought well, hopefully we bounce back" - Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan
Pakistan's poor fortunes in the shortest format have not seen a change despite an alarming first-round exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Rizwan's first assignment in the format after taking over from Babar Azam was the three-match series against Australia, which the Men in Green lost 0-3.
Although Pakistan's second-string side recorded a series win against Zimbabwe, they lost the final T20I.
"Lots of positives, if you take Miller's and Linde's innings made the difference for us. Miller took the attack to us, we took early wickets but we lost the momentum from Miller's onslaught. South Africa bowled very well, spinners bowled very well, credit to them as they used the conditions better. Big positive, Shaheen bowled well. We fought well, hopefully we bounce back," Rizwan said during the post-match presentation.
The second T20I between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled to take place on Friday, December 13, at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.