After being eliminated from the T20 World Cup, Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim expressed that this marks a nadir for the team, failing for the third time to advance to the Super Eight stage in the tournament's history.
Pakistan began their campaign with a dramatic Super Over victory against co-hosts USA but suffered a narrow six-run defeat to arch-rivals India. Despite a convincing seven-wicket win over Canada, it wasn't enough for Babar Azam's side to progress. Their final group match will see them face Ireland in Florida on Sunday.
"Yes, this is the lowest point. You can't go any lower than this. That's the fact. I know we're out of the tournament and it's hard for the players but at the end this is an international game, a World Cup game so we won't take anything lightly," Imad said in a pre-match press conference.
Imad emphasized that Pakistan will approach their match against Ireland with full commitment, despite it being a dead rubber. "We will go out there and play for the country and play for the pride of our country which we already did but unfortunately the results we can't control it. Yeah, but we go out there and play like it's a World Cup game," he added.
Imad avoided singling out individuals for their defeats, attributing them to collective team responsibility. "We have given away two games by ourselves. We have given away the match by ourselves not because of an individual, but collectively, because of team effort, we gave away the match by ourselves.
"There is no excuse for that. Losing to USA, well, losing is a part of the game, but we shouldn't have lost to USA. Even against India - we had that game in our hands and we shouldn't have lost. So, there is no excuse for anything. We are losing matches collectively," he analyzed.
"And I will tell you again that we never lose a match because of one or two individuals. Matches are lost because of the whole team. Whether someone does it well or not, that's why it's called team sport. If it was an individual, anyone can blame anyone and everything can be taken out of the rest. But you have to sit and think where mistakes are happening, how are they happening, why are they happening and you have to sort it out.
"After the match against Ireland - we will sit down and talk and then decide. I don't do anything secretly. I told everyone when retired last time - If something happens, I will come and tell everyone," Imad added.
He acknowledged the disappointment of his teammates and countrymen over their lackluster performance and highlighted the need for the team to reassess its white-ball strategy.
"When you fall, how do you get up and approach the world? And how do you react? That is what we have to see now. It is a very sad thing. But, who knows, it could be a big thing for Pakistan cricket. Revamp it, revisit it and play it the way white ball cricket should be played.
"So, me personally and our team, including me, are very disappointed and sad. And the whole public is sad that we didn't perform well and we are to blame for it. But I would also like to say that we are human beings, we can make mistakes and we are also saddened by these things," Imad said.
Read also | Sumit Nagal Triumphs Over Bernabe Zapata, Secures Final Spot at Perugia Challenger
