Yasir Arafat labels Pakistan an "Amateur Team" ahead of their T20 World Cup opener

Former Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat heavily criticized the Babar Azam-led team's performance leading up to the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. Yasir Arafat described the final T20 match during the Pakistan tour of England as a clash between a professional team and an amateur team.

Pakistan suffered a 2-0 loss to England in their last bilateral series before the World Cup. The first T20I of the series was abandoned due to rain. The visiting team lost the second match by 23 runs. The third match was also abandoned due to rain. The hosts achieved a crushing seven-wicket victory in the final T20I.

Crowds Were Also Criticising The Performance Of Pakistan - Yasir Arafat

Yasir Arafat expressed concerns about the Pakistan team before their first match in the T20 World Cup. Arafat said that Pakistan seems to be falling behind in a lot of factors, including skill, fitness, and captaincy. He stated how Pakistan can recover from such setbacks before the major tournament.

"I was at The Oval, and it was like a professional team, England against an amateur team. Those in the crowd were also criticizing the performance of the Pakistan team there," said Arafat.

"But the kind of cricket they played was nonprofessional. The world has moved ahead, but Pakistan seems to be falling behind in a lot of factors - skill, fitness, and even captaincy. The morale will be down, and it remains to be seen how they get back up from here," added Arafat.

Babar Azam was reappointed as the white-ball skipper ahead of the five T20I series against New Zealand at home in April. The Babar Azam-led team struggled against the second-string New Zealand team. The Men in Green managed to draw the T20I series at 2-2 despite picking a strong squad.

The Pakistan team's struggles continued in their subsequent series against Ireland in away conditions. They lost the first T20I of the three-match series by five wickets in Dublin on May 10. However, the former World Cup winners secured victories in the next two matches to clinch the series victory in Ireland.

The Hope Is Always To Lift The Trophy - Babar Azam

Following the series loss against England, captain Babar Azam expressed excitement about playing in a major event like the World Cup. He highlighted that the team aims to lift the trophy but acknowledged the need to play top cricket against every opponent.

"I am happy and excited because when you go to play in a major event, you have different excitement. It's the aim of any cricketer to play in a World Cup, so that kind of feeling is coming over me. The hope is always to lift the trophy, but for that to happen, we have to play top cricket against every side," Babar said.

Pakistan will face the USA in their first match in the T20 World Cup at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Thursday, June 6. The Men in Green will face India in their next game at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 9. They will take on Canada and Ireland in their last two group matches.

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