Sunil Gavaskar has delivered a strong verdict on Pakistan’s cricketing struggles, stating that even India’s second-string team could comfortably beat them. His comments come after Pakistan’s exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, where they failed to make an impact.
Gavaskar’s Bold Take
Speaking on Sports Today, Gavaskar was blunt about Pakistan’s current form. “A B team from India can definitely challenge them. A C team? Maybe not, but the B team will be very hard to beat given Pakistan’s performance right now,” he said.
India, the runners-up of the 2023 ODI World Cup, continued their dominance over Pakistan with a six-wicket win in the Champions Trophy match in Dubai. The loss added to Pakistan’s woes, as they have now failed to win this tournament since its inception.
Pakistan’s Declining Cricket Fortunes
Pakistan has struggled in major ICC events since winning the Champions Trophy in 2017. They finished fifth in the last two ODI World Cups and have not shown any significant improvement.
Gavaskar highlighted Pakistan’s lack of bench strength, something that was never an issue in the past. “Pakistan always had naturally talented players. They weren’t always technically perfect, but they had an instinctive understanding of the game. Look at someone like Inzamam-ul-Haq—his stance wasn’t ideal, but his temperament made him a great batter,” he said.
The IPL Factor
The Indian legend pointed out that despite having the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and domestic tournaments, Pakistan has struggled to develop strong young players. He compared this to India, where the IPL has played a crucial role in producing top-tier cricketers.
“India has so many young stars in white-ball cricket because of the IPL. These players get exposure, play in the Ranji Trophy, and eventually break into the national team. Pakistan needs to introspect and figure out why their bench strength is no longer what it used to be,” Gavaskar added.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Exit
Pakistan’s elimination from the Champions Trophy was confirmed after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh in another Group A match. This was a major disappointment for the team, especially since they were hosting an ICC event for the first time since 1996.
With Pakistan’s cricket facing serious questions, Gavaskar’s words serve as a reality check. The pressure is now on Pakistan’s cricketing system to find solutions and revive their lost glory.
