Fans have expressed concerns about the failing middle order of the Pakistan Cricket Team despite Pakistan registering its first win over Bangladesh in the ongoing Tri-Nation series.
Pakistan is playing the T20I Tri-Nation series with New Zealand and Bangladesh in New Zealand. Pakistan batting first, had set a target of 167 runs. Muhammad Rizwan was once again the top scorer in the Pakistani batting line-up.
Fans say they saw a repeat of what happened in the Asia Cup and T20I series against England-collapse of the middle order. Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah, and Iftikhar Ahmed are repeatedly coming under intense criticism on social media for their consecutive failures. Earlier, Fakhar Zaman was criticized for failing to strengthen the middle-order batting line of Pakistan.
Fans think Haider Ali is running out of time. He is losing wickets in the same fashion in every match. Some say Ali lacks the approach and skills to lay the right shot. Others say he will be dropped soon from the team; he fails to deliver despite being given continuous opportunities to perform. They believe Fakhar Zaman will be called back into the team to replace Haider Ali again. Fans believe the continuous trend is not a good omen for Pakistan Cricket Team that will be playing in the T20 World Cup later this month.
Haider Ali khushdil shah are intentionally not performing just to give fakhar zaman a chance in wc squad, Pakistan is lucky to have such selfless players ❤️❤️
— Mustafa (@Mustafasays_) October 7, 2022
Feel for Haider Ali because he has no time to settle down almost every time he bats
— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) October 7, 2022
Read more: Rizwan’s unbeaten 78 helps Pakistan to beat Bangladesh
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan underlined why he will be a key weapon for Pakistan at the Twenty20 World Cup, top-scoring in a 21-run win over Bangladesh in Christchurch on Friday.
Rizwan maintained his rich vein of form with an unbeaten 78 as Pakistan posted 167-5, before restricting their opponents to 146-8.
Haider ali has to learn statpadding if he wants to get regular spot in playing 11 of current pakistan team management.#PAKvBAN
— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) October 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/shayaannn/status/1575899391608487937?s=20&t=nMHly9ii_NHQDNLfQDU1dA
The middle-order crisis is only worsening for Pakistan with every game.
Since the Asia Cup, both Haider Ali and Asif Ali haven't passed 20. Iftikhar Ahmed does makes 20s but he takes as many balls.
Pakistan should try playing Shadab at #4 & Nawaz at #5.#BANvPAK #NZTriSeries
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) October 7, 2022
And 100% of his mental strength & hard work! Haider Ali is one of those players who have regressed since their debut https://t.co/o9naeDtwAK
— Elections say nahin RAW say phat ti hai – Hosh (@BullitTheBlue) October 7, 2022
Before this " k ye nonsense Awaam Haider Ali ko bhi Khushdil shah ki Tarah tuller tuller and Parchi kehna start kar dey officially" send him to Pakistan to play Quaid e Azam trophy and Some first class matches. aisa na ho k Haider Ali kharab hojaye aur bhi.#PAKvsBAN
— Saifullah khan (@Saif_Speaks66) October 7, 2022
It was the opening match of a week-long tournament, which also includes hosts New Zealand. All three teams are using it to prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
The world’s top-ranked T20 batsman, Rizwan, batted through the innings in cold conditions at Hagley Oval, tallying seven fours and two sixes in a chanceless 50-ball knock.
It was the 30-year-old’s 21st half-century in the format, continuing his form from last month’s T20 series against England when he compiled a series-leading 316 runs.