Pakistan’s spark fades in Faisalabad: A side adrift in its own mediocrity | Sports

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There are defeats that hurt, and then there are defeats that expose. Pakistan’s eight-wicket loss to South Africa in the second ODI at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium was not just a loss, it was a revelation of the growing mediocrity that has quietly crept into the team structure. The series is now level at 1-1, but the gulf in quality between the two sides was wider than the scoreline suggests.

A few days earlier, Pakistan had pulled off an upset two-wicket win in the series opener, giving fans a glimmer of hope that the team had rediscovered its fighting spirit. But in Faisalabad, those hopes were crushed under the weight of South Africa’s clinical fitness, led by Quiton de Kock’s masterful unbeaten 123 and Ninderberger’s devastating spell of 4 for 46.

If this series has shown anything, it’s that South Africa learns from its mistakes. Whether in Tests or ODIs, the Proteas have a way of absorbing lessons and bouncing back with intent. On the other hand, Pakistan continue to repeat the same mistakes, tactical rigidity, sloppy fielding, and lack of mental resilience, turning potential victories into predictable disappointments.

Chasing a target of 270, the visitors dismantled Pakistan’s bowling attack with alarming ease, reaching 270 for 2 in just 40.1 overs. An opening stand of 81 between Lhuan-dre Pretorius and de Kock set the tone. Pretorius’ 46 off 40 balls was fluid and fearless, while de Kock’s knock was a study in controlled aggression, every shot calculated, every threat measured.

Once Pretorius fell to Mohammad Wasim Jr., Tony de Zorzi joined de Kock to end the partnership that completely broke Pakistan’s spirit. His 153-run stand off 137 balls was an exhibition of how well-prepared and tactically amazing modern batting can be, contrasting painfully with Pakistan’s reactionary and unwilling bowling efforts.

Pakistan’s bowling attack, once its greatest strength, looked toothless. Lack of variety, poor execution, and unimaginative field placements turned a credible total for South Africa into mere formalities. Shaheen Afridi, captaining the ODI side for the first time, lost ideas once the Proteas launched an attack. The bowlers’ inability to maintain consistent lines and lengths reflects not only poor form, but poor planning.

Dropped catches and cheap fielding compounded the woes. It’s a pattern that has become alarmingly common moments that the intensity of demand is met with indifference, and games slip away not just because of the opposition but because of Pakistan’s own negligence.

There were flashes of resilience in Pakistan’s innings but no basis for dominance. After a shaky start, the middle order received brief stability from Saeem Ayub and Salman Agha, whose 92-run stand offered glimpses of a fightback. Ayub’s strokeplay was promising, Agha’s maturity was commendable. Yet, once this partnership broke up, the familiar ending followed.

Mohammad Nawaz played a counter-attacking knock of 59 balls, hitting five sixes and three fours, while Faheem Ashraf’s quick 28 added late momentum. Off the final ball, Naseem Shah rose to a total of 269, but it always felt 30 runs short of the competitive target.

South Africa skipper Nkabemzi Peter made history by claiming three caught and blistering dismissals in a single ODI innings, an incredible feat that highlighted both his control and Pakistan’s inability to rotate the strike. As Peter and Berger thrived on discipline, Pakistan’s batsmen came under pressure.

Quiton de Kock’s performance was just over a century, it was a statement. After retiring from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup, de Kock spent nearly two years away from international cricket before returning this October. His unbeaten 123 in Faisalabad was his first hundred after 114 against New Zealand in Pune during the same World Cup, a gap of 735 days.

For a man who had every reason to rest on his past laurels, de Kock’s return embodied hunger and renewed purpose. “I came back with a new energy that I feel I lost over time,” he said after the match. His decision to take a break, reflect and bounce back speaks volumes about professionalism and self-awareness, traits Pakistan’s senior players can learn from.

Shaheen Afridi, still new to captaincy, faced an uphill battle. His words after the match “It was a bit tough, the drop catches cost us” reflected honesty but also helplessness. A captain’s job is not just to set fields or rotate the bowlers, but to instill belief. On this front, Shaheen is yet to find his rhythm.

Leadership isn’t about fame or speed, it’s about presence. Pakistan’s body language on the field tells its own story: shoulders drooped, bowlers unrestrained, and fielders often reacting rather than anticipating. In contrast, with South Africa’s energy, every run is saved, every scream is synchronized. It is not the talent that Pakistan lacks. It is certain.

It has been 17 years since international cricket returned to Faisalabad, yet the homecoming felt hollow. There was little to cheer about, no spark from the stands, and even less from the field. The “home advantage” that once lured Pakistan sides to Frosty now feels like an outdated myth. Playing in front of home fans should inflame pride, but for this team, it seems to add pressure they can’t channel.

South Africa’s captain, Matthew Bretzke, summed it up perfectly: “It was an all-round display from the team. We fielded brilliantly and saved a lot of runs.” Therein lies the difference between speed building a line team and one slowly losing its way.

That defeat shouldn’t just sting, it should provoke introspection. Pakistan cricket has long lived on nostalgia: Wasim’s magic, Waqar’s fire, and Misbah’s calm. But in modern cricket, reputation means nothing if the systems are not developed. Where is the power of the bench? Where is the accountability for repeated fielding errors? Where is the spark that once defined Pakistani cricket?

The upcoming series decider is more than a match, it is a test of character. Pakistan can either continue in denial, wrapped up in the excuse of dropped catches and a “bad day”, or they can face the fact that mediocrity has become the norm. The ball is, quite literally and metaphorically, in their court.