Cricket

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage has sparked a firestorm of criticism and revelations. Former cricketers and experts have expressed their concerns, but none have been as damning as the leaked comments from Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten, who exposed a deep-seated lack of unity within the team.Led by Babar Azam, who regained captaincy from Shaheen Afridi before the tournament, Pakistan crashed out after suffering defeats to USA and India. Rumors of groupism and internal divisions have plagued the team, and Kirsten's leaked outburst has only served to confirm these suspicions."There's no unity in Pakistan's team. They call it a team, but it isn't a team. They aren't supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I've worked with many teams, but I've never seen such a situation," Kirsten reportedly said, according to a leak by Geo News.Kirsten's comments have painted a grim picture of Pakistan's team dynamics, suggesting a lack of cohesion and support among the players. This revelation has raised questions about the team's leadership and the ability of the players to perform as a unit.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the situation, highlighting the ease with which secrets are leaked in the Pakistani media. "It worked like ghee on fire," Chopra quipped, referring to the fact that anything can be leaked in Pakistan, making it difficult to keep secrets after a poor tournament."Gary Kirsten has probably said that he didn't say anything like that, but Pakistan cricket is like a strainer. Whatever you put, it leaks from the other end," Chopra added.The leaked comments have also exposed the insecurity within the Pakistan team, according to renowned journalist Harsha Bhogle. "When a private conversation within a dressing room is leaked... it exposes the insecurity within," Bhogle tweeted.Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was part of India's 2011 World Cup-winning team under Kirsten, has urged his former coach to return to India. "Don't waste your time there Gary, come back to coach Team INDIA," Harbhajan posted on Twitter.Pakistan's struggles have continued despite Kirsten's appointment as head coach. The team's lack of unity and poor performances have raised concerns about their future prospects. It remains to be seen whether Kirsten can turn things around and help Pakistan regain its former glory.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has been marred by inconsistency and internal divisions, leaving their Super Eight qualification hopes hanging by a thread.Captain Babar Azam's leadership has come under scrutiny, with reports of two factions within the team: one led by Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, and Shadab Khan, and another including recently sacked Shaheen Shah Afridi. This lack of unity has contributed to Pakistan's poor performances on the field.In their opening match against the USA, Pakistan failed to defend a total of 159, losing in a Super Over. Against India, they were restricted to 113 for 7 while chasing a modest target of 120.Pakistan's qualification chances now rest on defeating Canada and Ireland by large margins and hoping that the USA loses heavily to India and Ireland. However, even in this scenario, Pakistan's dismal net run rate (-0.150) compared to the USA's healthy run rate (+0.626) makes their task extremely difficult.The 2009 champions have looked far from their formidable past, with none of their departments clicking so far. Babar Azam and Shadab Khan have scored runs, but the rest of the batting lineup has struggled. The bowling attack has also been inconsistent, failing to contain opposition batters effectively.Pakistan's fate now lies in the hands of other teams and a stroke of luck. They must win their remaining matches convincingly and hope for favorable results elsewhere to keep their Super Eight hopes alive.

Mumbai Indians' Struggles Stem from Internal Divisions, Says Michael ClarkeFormer Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed his doubts about the Mumbai Indians' chances of reaching the playoffs in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Clarke believes that the team's inconsistent performances are a result of internal divisions and a lack of teamwork."I think there's a lot more going on than what we are seeing on the outside," Clarke said on Star Sports Cricket Live. "You can't have that many good players and perform this inconsistently."Clarke's comments come after the Mumbai Indians suffered a disappointing start to the season, winning only three of their first nine matches. The team has been plagued by injuries and a lack of form from key players, including captain Rohit Sharma.Clarke believes that the abrupt change in captaincy, with Hardik Pandya replacing Sharma, has further disrupted the team's chemistry. "Something is not working, they are not gelling together, they are not playing as a team," he said.Despite having match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah and Romario Shepherd in their squad, the Mumbai Indians have struggled to find consistency. Clarke acknowledged that individual brilliance can sometimes carry a team over the line, but he emphasized the importance of teamwork in winning big tournaments."I think to win big tournaments you need to be a team and not just have individual performances," Clarke said. "Unfortunately, they haven't played well as a team so I hope they turn it around, but I can't see them winning this game."The Mumbai Indians are currently second-to-last on the points table and face an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs. They will need to win all of their remaining five matches and hope that other results go their way.