As a team, we failed to adapt to modern-day cricket: Shadab Khan

Pakistan were one of the favourite teams to qualify for the semi-finals after their back-to-back wins to kickstart their ODI World Cup campaign. However, the Babar Azam-led side went on to lose four matches on the trot, which jeopardized their position in the points table. They eventually ended up finishing fifth and following this, Babar’s deputy Shadab Khan accepted responsibility for their poor performance in the tournament and pointed out their failure to adapt to modern-day cricket.

The bowling department failed to live up to its potential as neither of them could impress. Shadab himself was shown the door at one point after his continuous failure in the ODI World Cup. Speaking about his own performance, the all-rounder mentioned that he has let himself and the team down in the tournament and expects a better performance from Pakistan in the future.

“I have let myself down, I didn't live up to my potential as a bowler which has impacted the team's performance. You always try to win a tournament, this could not happen. We are out of the semifinals. Coaches, players, support staff everyone is disappointed.

"Whenever a tournament starts, we have to improve in all three departments. As a team, we failed to adapt to modern-day cricket,” Shadab was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Shabad backs Babar Azam as Pakistan skipper

A lot of former cricketers and pundits have criticized Babar Azam for his poor captaincy in the ODI World Cup. They were surprised by certain decisions of Babar and hence called for a change in captaincy in the Pakistan team. Shadab however believes that Babar shouldn’t be made the scapegoat as none of the players lived up to their potential in the tournament. He called it a ‘cultural difference’ and expects it to change in the coming times.

“This represents a cultural difference. When we emerge victorious, it is attributed solely to the captain's triumph. But in times of defeat, the responsibility for the loss falls squarely on the captain's shoulders. This should change,” Shadab said.