PAK vs AFG: Bazid Khan Highlights The Insignificance Of Rankings In Cricket Following Pakistan's Loss To Afghanistan

Former Pakistan cricketer Bazid Khan opened up about the team’s disappointing loss to lower-ranked Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. Bazid Khan emphasized the insignificance of team rankings when compared to the value of winning trophies.

The Babar Azam-led team faced a significant upset in the World Cup, experiencing their first loss to Afghanistan in ODIs in Chennai on Monday, October 23. The Afghan team comfortably chased down a 283-run target, winning by eight wickets with an over to spare.

Rankings Do Not Matter In Cricket – Bazid Khan

Speaking after Pakistan’s third consecutive defeat in the ongoing World Cup, Bazid Khan emphasized that rankings hold little significance in cricket when compared to the importance of winning trophies.

“Rankings do not matter in cricket! No one remembers your No. 1 ranking if you are not winning trophies. Pakistan were No. 7 or No. 8 in the Champions Trophy but they went on to win the trophy and everyone remembers it,” said Bazid Khan.

Pakistan claimed the title in the 2017 Champions Trophy despite entering as the lowest-ranked team in the competition. They achieved a convincing 180-run victory over India in the final, marking their first ICC ODI tournament win since the 1992 World Cup.

Pakistan Never Deserved To Win This Match – Bazid Khan

Bazid Khan stated that Pakistan never deserved to win as Afghanistan had clearly outperformed them on the field. Bazid’s remarks emphasized the dominant performance of the Afghan team.

“Pakistan never deserved to win this match against Afghanistan. Afghanistan completely outplayed us,” Bazid Khan added.

Pakistan scored a total of 282 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 50 overs. Pakistan registered its first defeat to Afghanistan in ODI cricket, with this being the 8th meeting between the two sides. Pakistan’s spinners struggled to perform effectively in spin-friendly conditions.

The Babar Azam-led team began the World Cup strongly with consecutive wins. However, they faced their third consecutive loss in the tournament, impacting their chances of reaching the semi-finals. They currently occupy the fifth position in the table, with 4 points.

The Pakistan team will take on the Temba Bavuma-led team in their next match at the same venue on Friday, October 27. They must win the remaining matches to secure their place in the top four at the end of the group stage matches of the World Cup.

Also read: ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Ex-Pakistan Cricketer Bazid Khan Highlights Major Concerns Ahead Of The Marquee Tournament