2024 was a year of highs and lows for Pakistan cricket. The team started the year with a string of disappointing performances, but they managed to turn things around in the latter half of the year, achieving some historic victories. Let’s take a detailed look at Pakistan’s cricketing journey in 2024.
A Disappointing Start
Pakistan’s year began on a negative note with a demoralizing 3-0 whitewash in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy against Australia. This marked a challenging start for Shan Masood, who had just taken over as the Test captain. The struggles continued in the shorter formats as well, with Pakistan losing a T20I series 4-1 to New Zealand. Even though the home T20I series against the same opponent ended in a draw, it felt like a missed opportunity to gain some momentum.
Inconsistent Path to the T20 World Cup
Pakistan’s journey leading up to the T20 World Cup was equally inconsistent. A 2-1 T20I series win against Ireland offered a glimmer of hope, but it was overshadowed by a disheartening 2-0 series loss to England. In the T20 World Cup itself, Pakistan’s campaign ended abruptly as they failed to progress beyond the group stage. A narrow six-run defeat to arch-rivals India and a dramatic Super Over loss to the USA sealed their fate. The shocking defeat to the USA confirmed Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament, leaving fans heartbroken.
Test Format Woes: A Historic Low
The Test format brought Pakistan cricket another reason for disappointment. The team suffered their first-ever whitewash in a Test series against Bangladesh. This historic low intensified the pressure on Shan Masood’s captaincy and exposed the team’s struggles in red-ball cricket, raising questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Turning the Tide: Resilience and Remarkable Comebacks
Despite the string of early setbacks, Pakistan cricket displayed remarkable resilience by staging a comeback in the latter half of the year. A home Test series against England proved to be a turning point. After losing the first Test, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) implemented innovative methods to improve their performance. They used industrial fans to prepare pitches that were more suited to their spin-bowling attack. This strategy proved to be successful, and Pakistan secured a stunning 2-1 series victory. Spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan emerged as the heroes, taking an impressive 39 out of England’s 40 wickets in the final two matches.
Dominant ODI Performances and Leadership Shifts
In the ODI format, Mohammad Rizwan’s leadership brought about a new era of success for Pakistan cricket. The team clinched their first ODI series victory on Australian soil since 2002 by defeating the hosts 2-1. Rizwan’s inspirational captaincy continued to shine as Pakistan secured another ODI series win against Zimbabwe. On the same tour, Salman Ali Agha led the T20I side to a 2-1 series victory, showcasing the team’s depth and adaptability.
Historic ODI Series Whitewash in South Africa
Pakistan cricket ended the year on a high note with a historic 3-0 ODI series whitewash against South Africa. This feat marked the first time Pakistan had ever achieved an ODI series whitewash on South African soil. Rising star Saim Ayub was the standout performer, delivering match-winning contributions throughout the series.
Blind Cricket Team’s Triumph
While the national team was busy navigating its highs and lows, Pakistan’s blind cricket team brought immense pride to the nation by clinching their maiden Blind T20 World Cup title. In a dominant performance, they defeated Bangladesh by a convincing 10 wickets in the final, bringing an end to India’s long-lasting dominance in the tournament.
A Year of Two Halves: Looking Ahead to 2025
The year 2024 was a story of two halves for Pakistan cricket. The team endured a rough start marked by defeats and disappointments. However, they displayed remarkable resilience and made strategic decisions that led to historic victories and a more promising outlook for the future. With fresh talent like Saim Ayub emerging and a change in leadership bringing renewed energy, Pakistan cricket seems poised for a successful 2025.
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