Pakistan vs West indies 2nd ODI 2025

 

Pakistan have been defeated by 5 wickets in the second ODI against West indies. Both West Indies although ranked 10th and Pakistan ranked 4th are equally talented and equally matched teams. Pakistan were unlucky they lost the toss as the trend in this ODI series shows that who so ever wins the toss wins the match by batting second.

Pakistan took a  Conservative approach to batting and played a lot of dot balls just like teams in the 1980's used to do. Modern day cricket requires a more proactive approach and an attacking approach to batting playing 360 degree shots all over the ground. Pakistan doesnt play with the modern day approach to batting.

Also never disturb a winning combination and I think Pakistan should have stuck with the same team as they played in the first ODI.

In the end what I would like to say is that if Pakistan finds it hard to compete against a low ranked team like West indies then I am sorry to say Pakistan cannot compete against the top ranked teams like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England and India.             

Pakistan vs West Indies 3rd Twenty20 2025

 

Pakistan won the Third Twenty20 by 13 runs to win the series 2-1 against West Indies. This result was always in doubt as Pakistan were beaten in Bangladesh and West Indies is a much stronger team than Bangladesh also West Indies are the two time Twenty20 World Champions winning the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in 2012 and 2016 respectively.

THis time Pakistan while batting made sure that they kept wickets in hand before going all out to hit it out in the death overs. This strategy worked as Pakistan put up a decent total of 189 runs on board. Sufiyan Muqeem and Haris Rauf were able to contain the West Indian batsmen and were the stars with the ball. I still think Hasan Ali is well past his prime and Shaheen Afridi should play regularly for Pakistan.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan slowly but surely are making a comeback in Twenty20 Internationals.

Pakistan vs West indies 2nd twenty20 2025

 

Pakistan lost a match they should have won by 2 wickets against West Indies in the second twenty20 match. Pakistan should have won when West Indies needed a minor miracle that is three runs off the last ball to win but Jason Holder had other ideas as he hit a four. Clearly the main difference between the two teams in the first two Twenty20 internationals has been Jason Holder's all round ability with both bat and ball. Jason Holder is the only match winner in the West Indian side. 

We are clearly missing Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in our batting in Twenty20 cricket and the selectors should select both sooner rather than later. Also Hasan Ali's bowling was the reason why we lost this match. Haris Rauf is always a better choice than Hasan Ali.

In the end what I would like to say is that if we cannot beat weak teams like West Indies and Bangladesh then how can you expect Pakistan to compete against top cricket playing nations.

World Championship of Legends

 

In the world championship of legends Pakistan is doing pretty well infact winning three consecutive matches now. In the previous edition of WCL in 2024 Pakistan finished runners up and in this edition of the tournament they are in the verge of reaching the semi finals.

Pakistan have defeated England, South Africa and West Indies so far in the WCL 2025. The England match was much closer as Pakistan could put only 160 for 9 on board but their bowlers contained and restricted England Champions to 155 for 3 hence  Pakistan won by 5 runs. On the otherhand Pakistan came with convincing victories against South Africa and West Indies. This Pakistan team is an excellent all round team.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan Champions would be very hard to beat throughout the remainder of the tournament.   

Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Twenty20 2025

 

Pakistan have been thrashed by 7 wickets in the first Twenty20 2025 by Bangladesh in Bangladesh home series. Pakistan are clearly missing the services of Babar Azam in their batting and Shaheen Afridi in their bowling.I think Pakistan cricket team needs both Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi in their team if they are to be formidable in this format of the game.  Pakistan selected a novice bowling line up for this series and if their batting fails like in this match they are sure to lose.

How can a bowling line up comprising of bowling all rounders like Faheem Ashraf and Abbas Afridi and novice bowlers like Salman Mirza contain the Bangladeshi batsmen. Amongst the batsmen in world cricket no one is world class in the Pakistani batting line up except for Babar Azam and Pakistan should select Babar Azam regardless of his form in all formats of this game that also includes Twenty20 format.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan were beaten in the first twenty20 because of the pitch in Mirpur.

can Pakistan compete against top cricket playing nations

 

On paper Pakistan cricket team definitely has ability and potential to compete against the top cricketing nations but their performance suggests that they cannot compete against major test playing nations. Our recent performance with the exception of Champions trophy tournament in 2025 in ODI cricket was good.. All that nose dived when we were whitewashed against New Zealand on their recent tour of New zealand 3-0.

Iin test cricket we havent defeated top cricketing nations like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in recent times. Our winning graph goes down whenever we play these teams. Part of the reason for such performance in test cricket against these teams are our technique and temperament. In twenty20 cricket also we havent defeated the major teams  in recent times.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan would have to change their style of cricket in accordance with modern day cricket in order to compete against the top sides in the world. 

Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2025

 

Pakistan will be touring Bangladesh for a series of three Twenty20 internationals starting from 20 th July. Pakistan are favourites this time but not overwhelming favourites as Bangladesh are the hosts this time and they have home advantage. Also injuries to Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf is a big blow to Pakistan's chances.

Pakistan have a formidable opening pair infact they have a superb three upper order batsmen in Saim ayub, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Haris. Each of these players play with great strike rates which is a prequisite in Twenty20 cricket. In bowling they have Abrar Ahmed, Abbas Afridi and Faheem Ashraf forming a decent bowling attack that can contain Bangladeshi batsmen. 

In the end what I would like to say is that Bangladeshi cricket team is fully capable of causing an upset or two in this twenty20 series.