Pakistan’s sad decline is no surprise!

"These days when victories are few and far between for Pakistan, fans like me can only wistfully look back at some of the all-conquering teams and players of yesteryear, those good old days in our childhood, the glory days as we fondly refer to them," remarked Aayan Afzal Ansari.

Afzal, a businessman from Karachi living in Colombo since 2018 with his family of five, seemed to reminisce about times gone by but a phone call from his ‘dear' friend, Rohith Pillai, did not let him linger too long.

"Book my (return) tickets for Sunday at once, I told you they are not going to last," Afzal cried angrily, in a voice of despair and repressed irritation, attracting a curious crowd of onlookers while he slung his jacket into the chair in frustration.

Rohith, a brand strategist cum designer in Chennai, called to check if Afzal had left for his home yet. He did, though several minutes later, moments after Pakistan slumped to their fourth defeat on the trot after opening the tournament with back-to-back wins.

Before heading to Koyambedu bus stand where Rohith resides, Afzal reminded me of a popular saying in world cricket that one has no clue about which Pakistan team will turn up on a particular day. "They could be the best playing XI at work one day, but could leave you embarrassed on other days. Unfortunately as fans, we have not been very proud of the side lately and you know why," said the 32-year-old, pausing briefly to wave goodbye to a toddler who was seated beside him in the stands.

Also Read: One step behind!

Afzal's sentiments would strike a chord in the hearts of thousands on the other side of the border. For many years, Pakistan has been known for its beguiling unpredictability and a predisposition to sway frantically between the hapless and the sublime, much to the dismay of its fans.

The 1990s bring alive tales of domination by the subcontinent in the cricket world, with all three of the test-playing nations India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka reigning supreme. However, the 2000s have seen the mantle shift more and more towards the Tendulkars and Dravids of India, with the Men in Green faltering time and again. The paths of Pakistan and India have diverged a little too significantly over the last few years in cricketing terms.

While the Blue Army now competes at the level of Australia and England in both the Test and ODI formats, modern-day Pakistan struggles to avoid a slide into mediocrity similar to that of the once-dominant West Indies in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While drawing a comparison between the two teams player-wise, one can easily make out how India have had a streak of luck in discovering new talent. Even fast bowling, which at one time used to be monopolised by the Pakistanis, is now something which the Indians are excelling at. But why has the talent dried up for Pakistan?

For one, cricket has grown to be a much more scientific and technical game, with talent alone not being good enough. Gone are the heady days of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, or Shoaib Akhtar running in and knocking over batsmen's stumps. Moreover, in all fairness, Pakistan continues to be categorised as one of the weaker fielding sides, while India has built a cavalry of young and zestful fielders like Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, etc.

The winning mentality that Akram once instilled in his teammates, has failed to remain with the team as there have been several major flip-flops on all fronts. Babar, who is already feeling the heat after a dismal show with the willow and captaincy in this World Cup, might end up losing captaincy as it will be virtually impossible for his side to salvage the campaign in remaining three games even if it wins those.

"Looking ahead, the board will make decisions in the best interest of Pakistan cricket based on the team's performances in the World Cup. At present, the PCB encourages fans, former players and stakeholders to rally behind the team as they strive to make a triumphant comeback in the mega-event," PCB had released a statement ahead of Pakistan's must-win South Africa tie.

Pakistan, which has managed only 24 sixes in five games and 136 boundaries, continues to be gripped by melancholic attitudes on the ground. That Pakistan batters hitting a six in Powerplay after consumption of 1200 deliveries across games in the first six overs is embarrassing enough.

Unlike their cross-border neighbours, India has been more akin to a student always eager to learn from failures. India's 100-run win over England despite their batters falling by the wayside on a two-paced pitch on Sunday was a manifestation of that as much as anything else. As long as Pakistan don't realise this, they will keep wondering ‘kab phodenge'?