By A Historic Collapse Leaves Pakistan Stunned
In a stunning turn of events, Pakistan collapsed to a humiliating 15/5 in a high-stakes match, triggering widespread criticism and fan outrage. Despite the team’s embarrassing downfall, many are now coming to the defense of former captain Babar Azam, pointing out that leadership alone cannot fix deep-rooted issues in the squad.
The 15/5 Nightmare: A Collapse for the Ages
On a surface offering some movement early on, Pakistan’s top order simply had no answers. The team’s scorecard read like a horror story — five wickets gone for just 15 runs. Bangladesh’s bowling attack was relentless, exploiting technical flaws and poor shot selection from Pakistan’s batters.
Senior players failed. New faces crumbled. The entire batting lineup looked unprepared and uninspired, making the collapse even more painful to watch for fans and pundits alike. BabarAzam, while not perfect, was never a cause of Pakistan’s decline.
Babar Azam’s Redemption Arc?
Since stepping down from captaincy, Babar Azam has often been scapegoated for Pakistan’s shortcomings. Critics accused him of passive leadership and blamed him for the team’s inconsistency. However, this latest defeat has sparked a shift in narrative.
As Pakistan struggled without him at the helm, many fans took to social media with a clear message: “Babar was never the problem.” Instead, fingers are now being pointed at deeper structural and selection issues within the team.
“You dropped Babar, changed the leadership, and nothing changed. Maybe it’s time to fix what’s actually broken,” one user tweeted, echoing a sentiment that is rapidly gaining momentum.
Leadership Crisis or System Failure?
With the constant reshuffling of leadership, coaching staff, and team combinations, Pakistan cricket has lacked stability in recent years. This defeat against Bangladesh only highlighted the lack of direction, planning, and accountability.
Despite removing Babar from captaincy in hopes of a turnaround, results have only worsened. Critics are now questioning the decision-makers at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing them of chasing quick fixes rather than long-term solutions.
Former players and analysts have also spoken out, noting that the leadership change has had little to no impact. Some even argue it may have made matters worse by destabilizing the dressing room.
Bangladesh Deserve Their Flowers
While much of the focus is on Pakistan’s collapse, credit must be given to Bangladesh, who played with discipline and intent. Their bowlers executed precise plans and never allowed Pakistan to settle.
Veteran seamer Taskin Ahmed and young sensation Shoriful Islam tore through the top order, while spinners kept the pressure on. This wasn’t just a Pakistan collapse — it was a Bangladesh masterclass.
Where Does Pakistan Go from Here?
Pakistan now faces a tough road ahead. With their confidence shattered and critics circling like vultures, urgent questions must be answered:
- Who are Pakistan’s long-term leaders?
- What is the team’s identity moving forward?
- How can a culture of accountability be restored?
One thing is clear — scapegoating individual players like Babar Azam is no longer a valid excuse. The issues lie deeper, and if they’re not addressed, Pakistan cricket risks slipping into a prolonged period of mediocrity.
Final Thoughts: Not Just About One Man
Cricket is a team sport, and Pakistan’s defeat proves once again that blaming one man, no matter how prominent, is shortsighted. Babar Azam, while not perfect, was never the root cause of Pakistan’s decline.
Now, with the world watching, Pakistan has a choice: continue the blame game, or start the hard work of rebuilding — from the ground up.
