Former Australian cricketer and commentator Lisa Sthalekar was not impressed with Pakistan's performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, labeling it as deeply disappointing alongside New Zealand's campaign.
She pointed out that Pakistan's loss against India was primarily due to the pressure, stressing the team's inability to handle crucial moments.
"The senior players' lack of performance was a significant reason for Pakistan's downfall," Sthalekar remarked, highlighting a critical aspect of their struggle in the tournament.
According to Sthalekar, Pakistan failed to adapt to the tournament's conditions, both in terms of strategy and execution. This deficiency, she argued, severely impacted their overall performance.
In contrast, Sthalekar lauded the United States for their remarkable achievement in defeating Pakistan and advancing to the Super Eight stage. She described it as a historic milestone for the American team, particularly noteworthy given their debut in international cricket at this level.
The victory not only ignited celebrations in New York but also sparked widespread discussions across social media platforms. Even basketball players joined in, acknowledging the impact of America's unexpected success.
Discussing the broader tournament dynamics, Sthalekar emphasised that teams like the USA and Bangladesh demonstrated better adaptation to the tournament conditions compared to Pakistan. She underscored the crucial role of preparation and adaptability in international cricket tournaments.
Pakistan's shock defeat to the USA and loss to India meant they were eliminated from the T20 World Cup before the Super 8.
Pakistan beat Ireland by three wickets in their last match of the event which was held at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida on Sunday.
The win against Ireland ensured that Pakistan finished third in Group A with two wins, including victory against Canada, from four games.