Kolkata:In the commentary box, Ravi Shastri pointed out the poor running between the wickets exhibited by former Pakistan player Inzamam-ul-Haq, particularly after his nephew Imam-ul-Haq was run out during the Champions Trophy loss to India in Dubai. He remarked that such running issues seem to "run in the family." Sunil Gavaskar, seated alongside Wasim Akram, humorously countered that this was not an accurate assessment, suggesting that "the family can’t run."

During a post-match analysis program in Pakistan, former players expressed their discontent. Shoaib Malik resorted to singing an old film song, “dil ke arman ansuon men bah gaye” (tears have washed away his heart’s desire), as he struggled to articulate Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the six-wicket defeat. Criticizing what he termed a “brainless and clueless management,” Shoaib Akhtar shifted his focus to praising Virat Kohli on his YouTube channel. Meanwhile, Waqar Younis expressed his disappointment regarding the absence of discipline across all facets of the game.

The state of Pakistan cricket is dire. Home pitches are being modified to favour pace over spin in red-ball cricket. Since their triumph in the 2017 Champions Trophy, they have not secured any titles in white-ball cricket, and they have failed to reach the semifinals in the last three ODI World Cups. Once-prominent players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi are currently experiencing a decline in form.

This is not the first time Pakistan has faced such challenges. Over the past three decades, they have endured fixing scandals, the tragic death of Bob Woolmer, and the forfeiture of a Test match. Historically, some of their most significant lows have eventually led to remarkable highs.

However, the current atmosphere of despair is palpable. The one-sided nature of the Champions Trophy match was disheartening, but even more troubling was the admission of defeat by the Pakistan captain before the match concluded. Mohammad Rizwan’s reliance on fate for Pakistan’s prospects feels uncharacteristic, hinting at a deeper crisis. Signs of this decline were evident even when India was not performing at their best, characterized by poor game awareness, a lack of aggression, questionable decision-making, and an overall unwillingness to apply pressure on India.

Read Also: India's B Team Poses Significant Challenge for Pakistan: Sunil Gavaskar's Critical Assessment of Champions Trophy Hosts' Struggles

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