The Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, is facing a difficult time at the Cricket World Cup with only two wins in six matches. As the 1992 champions, they are on the verge of being eliminated from the round-robin stage. Their upcoming match against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata is almost a must-win situation. Grant Bradburn, Pakistan’s head coach, has attributed their poor performance to the “foreign conditions” in India and their lack of familiarity with the venues.
With four consecutive losses, Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semifinals are slim. They would need a miracle to secure a spot in the last four. To have any chance, they must win their remaining three matches by significant margins and hope for favorable results from other teams.
Bradburn expressed his disappointment with the team’s situation, stating, “We are in a position that we didn’t want to be. We are determined at this stage of the tournament to be in control of our destiny, but we’re not. That hurts the group.” He emphasized that playing in foreign conditions has been challenging for the team, as none of their players have prior experience at these venues.
Despite the difficulties, Bradburn assured that the team has prepared diligently. “We’ve done our homework meticulously on our opposition, on our venues that we’re playing at, and we’re prepared very, very well for each and every encounter,” he said. He also highlighted the team’s confidence and support, stating, “We don’t feel disadvantaged at all in terms of the knowledge, the quality, the skill, the backing that we have for this team of cricketers.”
Bradburn, who previously served as Pakistan’s fielding coach and consultant, took over as head coach in May on a two-year deal. He acknowledged that the ideal preparation for a tournament like this starts four years in advance, but they had to change their approach six months ago to match the challenges of one-day cricket. Despite some positive performances, the team’s progress has taken longer than expected.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s cricket team is facing a tough situation at the Cricket World Cup. Their head coach, Grant Bradburn, has attributed their struggles to the foreign conditions in India and the lack of familiarity with the venues. Despite the challenges, the team remains determined and prepared for their upcoming matches.
