Pakistan lost by one run against Zimbabwe in the 2022 T20 World Cup, a defeat that leaves their chances of knock-out qualification hanging by a thread.

After the Pakistan bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 130-8, with Mohammad Wasim Jr picking up a four-for, Babar Azam’s team were expected to register their first win in this year’s edition of the tournament. However, a slow start from the openers with Mohammad Rizwan scoring 14 in 16 balls and Babar making four from nine did not help their case.

Pakistan were soon reduced to 36-3 in 46 balls, and despite a 52-run stand between Shadab Khan and Shan Masood, they were unable to fend off the pressure, eventually losing their second game in a row, a significant blow to their chances in the T20 betting.

Unless other results go their way, last year’s semi-finalists are almost out of the competition, and as expected, there was plenty of reactions to the defeat, with the majority of the pundits dissatisfied with Babar and Rizwan’s approach to the chase and their lack of intent in the powerplay overs.

Babar averages 42.56 in the format with a strike rate of just over 129, while his batting partner’s strike rate is lower, at 127.14. Rizwan is currently the No.1 batter in men’s T20Is, while Babar is at four, but the template they have adopted has been increasingly under the scanner.

54 dot balls against Zimbabwe. What an embarrassment. Babar will now come up with an emotional motivational speech.

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) October 27, 2022

To accommodate Rizwan we ruined our entire T20 strategy. Because of him Babar is struggling. Because of him Fakhar was struggling. Because of him Azam Khan isn’t picked. And he repays us by failing at the most crucial time. Zero improvement on his technique. A bad investment.

— Haroon (@hazharoon) October 27, 2022

When Babar opens with Fakhar, his T20I batting avg is 57. When he opens with Rizwan, the avg is 32. The reason is when Fakhar is there, it takes SR pressure off Babar and allows him to play longer. With Rizwan, Babar has to take more risk therefore more chances of getting out.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 28, 2022

Rizwan in power play against India

12 balls 4 runs 11 dots

Today

16 balls 10 dots

It's not about his runs, it's about intent at the top which created pressure on Babar and others

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) October 27, 2022

But @MazherArshad question is why Rizwan not take chances?
Who has Power to decide role?
Babar is Captain why he even let this happen?
Why we changed Fakhar position or why he no other attacking option?
Babar as captain also responsible
We remain on Comfort Zone & now facing https://t.co/at7rYKRJBp

— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) October 28, 2022

Mohammad Rizwan should also focus on developing his gameplay on off-side now. T20 is all about 360 gameplay. Too much focus on leg-side shots is becoming problematic for Rizwan when the ball is delivered on off-side. #T20WorldCup

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 27, 2022

Since 2021 in T20Is

Kohli: 61.86 Avg/138.5 SR
Rizwan: 63.26 Avg/130.7 SR
Babar: 36.9 Avg/129.16 SR

2 years of Kohli being ordinary vs 2 years of Babar/Rizwan in their peak….#T20WorldCup #NEDvIND

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) October 27, 2022

you didnt lose the semi-final because of Hasan Ali’s catch, didnt lose the Asia Cup because of the middle-order, didnt lose on Sunday because of Nawaz and didnt lose today because of Haider.

the real problem is of your rigidness to adapt to the modern game like everyone else. 💔

— Rayyan Shoaib (@rayyanshoaib_) October 27, 2022

Your own captain, coach and chairman defended this approach on camera. I hope they can have all FUN now.

— Areeba (@areeba_chaudhry) October 27, 2022

I am boycotting Pakistan cricket as long as Babar and M Rizwan continue to open.

— Haider Abbasi (@HaiderKAbbasi) October 27, 2022

A few other critics even directed their criticism towards Babar as the skipper, and questioned poor selections for the must-win match.

from day one I said poor selection ub is cheez ki responsibility kon le ga I think it's time to get rid of so called chairman jo pcb ka khuda bana hwa hai and so called chief selector.

— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) October 27, 2022

(From day one, I said poor selection. Who will take responsibility now? I think it’s time to get rid of the so-called chairman, who has become the God of PCB and the so-called chief selector)

Shame on all those people who still believe Babar Azam should remain Captain of Pakistan team.

— Sehar Shinwari (@SeharShinwari) October 27, 2022

Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja should take notice of coaching panel of Pakistan. The catching ratio has been below standards. Midorder crisis is consistent. The batters are technically getting exposed and there is lack of game awareness as well. Mr Chairman Pls take notice! #T20WorldCup

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 28, 2022

Those blaming Babar captaincy needs to know we are terrible against bouncy pitches anyway. He needs a better analyst. Our bowlers didnt even knew what lengths to bowl at Optus today at the start. Management needs to be changed. https://t.co/ffJ0ldR1m6

— Zainab (@autumnfall098) October 27, 2022

I can see a few Pak fans questioning Babar Azam's captaincy.

His captaincy is OK. If you really want to criticise him, criticise his T20I batting. He doesn't deserve a place in T20Is.

Even anchors need to strike at 130 in T20Is. His most aggressive version is 140 SR.

— Cricketjeevi (@wildcardgyan) October 27, 2022

Pakistan needs a new captain. Babar is a great batsman but can’t not play attacking captainship. That makes Pakistan lose matches.

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) October 23, 2022

Pakistan have also played a total of 12 T20Is in the last couple of months, including seven against England and five in the T20I tri-series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. “Battle fatigue” was also floated as another explanation for their poor run.

And the game goes to Zimbabwe!

Who would have thought it? After two games, Zimbabwe are unbeaten and Pakistan have suffered two last ball reverses.

One wonders if Pakistan are suffering from a bit of battle fatigue having played so many T20 warm-up games prior to this event.

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) October 27, 2022

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