CT debacle was big setback: Iqbal Qasim

Express Tribune

15-03-2025

Bangalore hero Iqbal Qasim feels Pakistan team, coaches should have learned from the tri-series defeats to prepare well for CT 2025. PHOTO: AFP
Former Test cricketer and chief selector Iqbal Qasim has highlighted the national team's sketchy performance on the field as well as the blunders made in selection as the prime causes of the hosts' poor campaign in the recently-concluded ICC Champions Trophy.
Speaking exclusively to telecomasia.net, Iqbal Qasim, popularly known as the Bangalore Test hero, said he was extremely disappointed by the national team's lacklustre show in the mega event.
"The ICC Champions Trophy was such a golden opportunity for Pakistan to make a huge impact on the world stage with their performance, but they unfortunately fell at the first hurdle and bowed out at the group stage," said Iqbal.
"Despite the crucial injury to opener Fakhar Zaman, we still had good players like Babar, Rizwan, Saud, Shaheen, Naseem and Haris but they failed to put in their best against New Zealand and also in the all-important clash against India which greatly disappointed the fans and experts alike."
Iqbal pointed out that the earlier losses to New Zealand in the tri-nation series should have been an eye opener for the national team but it did not happen.
"Pakistan players, the think tank and coaches should have devised a sound strategy and should have worked on the team's weak areas that were exposed in the tri-nation defeats to New Zealand.
"This is what professionalism is all about. Good teams learn from their mistakes and regroup to bounce back strongly, but we failed to do that in the Champions Trophy. There was a lot of shuffling in batting order and the bowlers did not bowl intelligently."
"I certainly expected our leading players like Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan, Naseem and Saud to excel on the home turf and show more responsibility. They are world class players but lack consistency," lamented Iqbal.
A brilliant spinner who played 50 Tests matches for Pakistan during the 1970s and '80s and also served as chief selector, Iqbal said Pakistan, perhaps, started on the wrong foot when the squad selected for the mega event left a lot to be desired.
"I fail to comprehend the logic or criteria which was adopted by Aaqib Javed and fellow selectors in selecting the CT squad," said Iqbal. "Selecting just one spinner in Abrar Ahmed and so many fast bowlers, given the pitches and home conditions made little sense to be honest," observed Iqbal.
Look how New Zealand had planned things when they brought in two spinners in skipper Santner and Bracewell who propelled them to reach the CT final. Even South Africa had Maharaj and Shamsie but we chose to go in with just one. In my opinion," said Iqbal.
He regretted that a few top performers of the domestic season and the Under-19 team were yet again ignored for the upcoming New Zealand tour. "Talented players like batter Yasir Khan and spinner Usman Tariq who topped the Champions Cup averages as well as prolific players from the under-19 side like batter Shahazaib Khan and fast bowlers Ali Raza and Mohammad Zeeshan have been left out of the New Zealand tour for reasons best known to the selectors," Iqbal concluded.