The cricket event at the Asian Games 2023 concluded on October 7, 2023, with India winning the gold medal, Afghanistan grabbing the silver and Bangladesh managing to get their hands on the bronze.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Shaheens, who lost to Bangladesh in the third-place playoff, failed to get any medal which is a sign of concern.
The Pakistan Shaheens’ squad that was announced for the Asian Games 2023 had seven players who had already played international cricket for the senior team. Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Arshad Iqbal, Shahnawaz Dahani, Aamer Jamal and Usman Qadir were the players who had already played for the senior team but none of them could create any impact in the event.
Pakistan kicked off their campaign against Hong Kong in the first quarter-final. While batting first, Pakistan were struggling at 109/7 before Aamer came in and rescued his side and helped them post a final total of 160. The right-hander smashed 41 (16) in that game to save Pakistan from getting embarrassed against Hong Kong. Afterwards, spinners took control of the game and Pakistan bowled out Hong Kong for just 92 to win the quarter-final by 68 runs. Pakistan however, didn’t know that this was the only win that they would get in this event.
In the semi-final, Pakistani batting failed miserably and they got bowled out for just 115, which Afghanistan chased quite easily in 17.5 overs.
In the bronze medal game against Bangladesh, rain interrupted the show. Pakistan were 48/1 in five overs and then rain interrupted. The revised target for Bangladesh was 65 in five overs, which they chased on the very last ball of the game.
Batters disappoint
Pakistan’s batting remained the biggest issue throughout the tournament. Despite having Haider, Asif, and Khushdil, Pakistan were not able to score big in any game.
The senior pros looked quite ordinary while batting in the event. Haider Ali managed six runs in two innings that he played, Khushdil could only score 35 runs in three innings while Asif Ali could only muster 33 runs in two innings. Even Omair bin Yousuf and Rohail Nazir failed to impress.
Win or loss is part of the game but the quality of cricket that you are playing matters, and Pakistan were quite disappointing in this tournament. The tracks were difficult to bat on but, considering the experience and the promising talent in the Pakistan squad, they should have done better.
Captaincy
The captaincy by Qasim Akram was quite below par as well. In the final two games that Pakistan Shaheens played, they only featured one pacer. The tracks did support the spinners, but playing only one pacer did not work out for Pakistan at all.
In the bronze medal game against Bangladesh, Arshad Iqbal was the pick of the bowlers with 3/14. Pakistan had to defend 20 in the final over but left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem failed to get his side over the line. Had there been any other pacer in the playing XI, things could have been different. Spinners Mubasir Khan Usman were also available but the skipper trusted young Sufiyan which eventually cost Pakistan Shaheens the game.
Team selection
There were also questions marks over the selection of the Pakistan Shaheens squad. If Pakistan needed experienced players in the unit, they had the option of Azam Khan and Imad Wasim, both of them were in great form in the Caribbean Premier League and are widely renowned T20 specialists. They would have added great value to the squad rather than going with tried and tested players, like Asif, Khushdil and Haider.
The Asian Games 2023 was an eye-opener for the Pakistan Cricket Board in terms of the talent they have at their disposal. It is high time that the cricket authorities in Pakistan take a long, hard look at themselves and ensure that such a debacle is not repeated in the future.
Bazif Jabbar Passionate Cricket writer and Commentator. Sharing the magic of the game through words.
