The Pakistan cricket team had a year full of excitement in 2024, filled with highs and lows that kept fans guessing. From tough losses to incredible comebacks, the year was full of surprises.
A Tough Start to the Year:
Pakistan’s year began on a difficult note. Shan Masood was leading the Test team for the first time, but they suffered a heavy defeat in Australia, losing 3-0 in the Test series. Things didn’t improve much as they lost 4-1 to New Zealand in the T20 series.
After this, Pakistan hosted New Zealand for a home series, but it ended in a disappointing draw. The team was struggling to find their form.
A Glimmer of Hope in PSL 2024:
While the national team was struggling, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) brought some joy. Islamabad United, led by Shadab Khan, won the PSL title for the third time. They defeated Multan Sultans in a thrilling final, giving fans something to celebrate.
Bumpy Road to the T20 World Cup 2024:
Pakistan’s journey to the 2024 T20 World Cup was filled with ups and downs. They won a series 2-1 against Ireland, but their next series against England ended in a 2-0 loss, which made fans worry about their chances in the World Cup.
The T20 World Cup 2024 turned out to be a disaster for Pakistan. They lost their opening match to the USA in a Super Over, which shocked everyone. Things didn’t get better, as they also lost to India by just six runs, despite chasing a small target. Although they won their last two games against Canada and Ireland, they were eliminated early from the tournament, marking one of their worst showings.
Unexpected Loss to Bangladesh:
Later in the year, Pakistan suffered a historic defeat to Bangladesh in a Test series. This was the first time Bangladesh won a Test series in Pakistan, and it was a huge blow for the team. Bangladesh outplayed Pakistan in all departments, winning the series 2-0.
A Brilliant Comeback Against England
After the tough losses, Pakistan showed their fighting spirit. In the second Test against England, the team made some bold changes. They rested senior players and brought in new faces like Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. This decision paid off as Pakistan won the next two Tests, securing a 2-1 series win. The comeback was impressive and gave the team a much-needed boost.
Rizwan Leads the White-Ball Teams to Success:
Mohammad Rizwan, who took over as captain for the white-ball formats, had an unforgettable year. Under his leadership, Pakistan won an ODI series in Australia, their first win there since 2002. This victory was celebrated as a historic achievement, and Rizwan dedicated the win to the fans.
However, Rizwan’s captaincy didn’t bring the same results in T20Is, as Pakistan was swept 3-0 by New Zealand.
Dominating Zimbabwe:
Rizwan’s leadership continued to shine as Pakistan won the ODI series 2-1 against Zimbabwe. They also did well in the T20I series, where Agha Salman captained the team to a 2-1 victory. These wins helped the team regain some confidence.
Historic ODI Whitewash Against South Africa:
One of Pakistan’s biggest achievements in 2024 came when they became the first team to whitewash South Africa 3-0 in an ODI series at home. After losing the T20I series, Pakistan bounced back strongly in the ODI series, making history with their remarkable win.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
As 2024 ends, the Pakistan cricket team has had its fair share of challenges and victories. From disappointing losses to incredible comebacks, they have shown resilience. With changes in the captaincy and the management, the team is looking to rebuild and improve for the future.
Although 2024 had its tough moments, it also reminded us that Pakistan cricket always has the potential to surprise us. With determination and the right changes, the team can come back stronger in the coming year.
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