With the defeat against India, discussions of recruiting friends into the team began. Why not when the consistently underperforming vice-captain Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, and Imam-ul-Haq have been given consecutive opportunities for several months, questions will naturally arise?
Both all-rounders, Shadab and Nawaz, flopped in the Asia Cup. The vice-captain took 6 wickets in 5 matches, including 4 against the weakest opponent, Nepal. On the other hand, Muhammad Nawaz managed just 12 runs with the bat in three matches.
However, the captain's faith in them did not waver, and they both appeared in the initial three matches of the mega event, where their performance raised questions among cricket enthusiasts.
Not only the all-rounders, but even opener Imam-ul-Haq is also facing questions in the team. Though Asia Cup passed, and the World Cup is approaching, he couldn't contribute much with the bat. Left-handed openers seem to have made up their minds not to perform against traditional rivals India.
So far, in 6 matches against the arch-rivals, he have managed only 64 runs with a dismal average of 12. Despite this, they seem to be favored for such a significant match, which Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is also Imam-ul-Haq's uncle, has to explain.
However, it's not the first time that Pakistan has lost to India in the World Cup. In the history of mega events, Pakistan's victory against India is not a common sight. Still, such a humiliating and disgraceful defeat has never been seen before, which has shaken cricket enthusiasts.