All-rounder Imad Wasim says the struggling team needs a change in mindset, not personnel.
MIAMI: When Imad Wasim wandered into the press conference room at Broward Park, it was, in a way, metaphorical. That’s exactly how his team, Pakistan, played this World Cup, losing both games to the United States and India, both of which they were in a position to win.
T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points TableThe win over Canada wasn’t enough, their fate was sealed before they even faced Ireland here in Broward Park.
“This is definitely the lowest moment for Pakistan in my career,” said Imad, who has played for Pakistan for nearly a decade now.
The all-rounder, who has played under a number of coaches and experienced the country’s fluctuating fortunes on the field, feels that a change in personnel will not bring about much change in Pakistan.
“It’s a question of mindset. We have to change our mindset. We are playing our cricket. We cannot be afraid of losing all the time. The game has changed and we have to deal with it. In my opinion, the right approach is to fight fire with fire,” said a bitterly disappointed Imad.
Questions lingered about what exactly went wrong, but the player who came out of retirement to play in this tournament was reluctant to place the blame for his early exit on just one person.
“When the team wins, it is a team effort. When the team loses, it is a team effort. There is no point in blaming one person for this disaster,” Imad said.
Pakistan have been in a downward slide for some time now – they were knocked out of the ODI World Cup by Afghanistan in India a few months ago – but their defeat here against the US was undoubtedly bitter. “I would say the loss to the US was hard to accept. We shouldn’t have lost,” said Imad, who missed that match due to injury.
However, the discussion seemed to centre around their defeat to India, where Pakistan dominated for large parts of the match before succumbing in the last five overs. Imad too was held responsible for the defeat as he failed to capitalise on his form in franchise cricket and failed to get a big run off Akshar Patel in the 16th over.
“Yes, it’s disappointing we didn’t do it. They pitched really well too, but it’s true that we should have won that game,” the 35-year-old said.
MIAMI: When Imad Wasim wandered into the press conference room at Broward Park, it was, in a way, metaphorical. That’s exactly how his team, Pakistan, played this World Cup, losing both games to the United States and India, both of which they were in a position to win.
T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points TableThe win over Canada wasn’t enough, their fate was sealed before they even faced Ireland here in Broward Park.
“This is definitely the lowest moment for Pakistan in my career,” said Imad, who has played for Pakistan for nearly a decade now.
The all-rounder, who has played under a number of coaches and experienced the country’s fluctuating fortunes on the field, feels that a change in personnel will not bring about much change in Pakistan.
“It’s a question of mindset. We have to change our mindset. We are playing our cricket. We cannot be afraid of losing all the time. The game has changed and we have to deal with it. In my opinion, the right approach is to fight fire with fire,” said a bitterly disappointed Imad.
Questions lingered about what exactly went wrong, but the player who came out of retirement to play in this tournament was reluctant to place the blame for his early exit on just one person.
“When the team wins, it is a team effort. When the team loses, it is a team effort. There is no point in blaming one person for this disaster,” Imad said.
Pakistan have been in a downward slide for some time now – they were knocked out of the ODI World Cup by Afghanistan in India a few months ago – but their defeat here against the US was undoubtedly bitter. “I would say the loss to the US was hard to accept. We shouldn’t have lost,” said Imad, who missed that match due to injury.
However, the discussion seemed to centre around their defeat to India, where Pakistan dominated for large parts of the match before succumbing in the last five overs. Imad too was held responsible for the defeat as he failed to capitalise on his form in franchise cricket and failed to get a big run off Akshar Patel in the 16th over.
“Yes, it’s disappointing we didn’t do it. They pitched really well too, but it’s true that we should have won that game,” the 35-year-old said.
