Islamabad, Jan 27: Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the World Test Championship (WTC) came to an unceremonious end as they suffered a 120-run defeat against the West Indies in their final assignment of the cycle. The loss cemented their place at the bottom of the WTC table, marking a dismal conclusion to what began as a promising journey.
Ranked ninth among all teams, Pakistan’s campaign started with high hopes, bolstered by a favorable fixture list at home. Early signs of potential emerged with a strong start against Sri Lanka, but subsequent defeats to Australia and Bangladesh shattered their momentum. A spirited series win against England briefly reignited hopes, but losses to South Africa and the decisive blow from the West Indies left them with a record of five wins and nine losses across 14 matches. They ended the cycle with just 47 points and a 27.98% percentage score.
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Pakistan’s inconsistency was a recurring theme throughout the cycle. Both the batting and bowling units struggled to deliver cohesive performances, with the team often unable to capitalize on critical moments. While there were flashes of brilliance from individual players, the collective effort fell short against higher-ranked opponents. The heavy reliance on flat tracks at home further exposed their vulnerabilities, limiting their ability to adapt to challenging conditions.
A brief period of optimism emerged under the leadership of Aqib Javed, who brought noticeable improvements, but the changes were not enough to steer the team toward a competitive finish. Shan Masood’s side lacked the discipline and resilience required to secure key victories, often faltering in decisive games.
Pakistan’s last-place finish in the WTC cycle serves as a wake-up call for the team. With a talented pool of players available, the focus must now shift toward addressing systemic issues and rebuilding for the next cycle. Strengthening both the mental and technical aspects of their game, improving discipline, and fostering consistency will be crucial for Pakistan as they aim to compete with the best teams on the global stage.
