World Cup 2023: Pakistan’s run in the ICC World Cup 2023 has been less than ideal, with the team finding themselves on the brink of elimination. The cricketing fraternity in Pakistan is abuzz with speculations and blame games, and surprisingly, India finds itself at the heart of the discussions. Pakistan’s head coach, Grant Bradburn, has pinned the ‘unfamiliar’ Indian conditions as a primary reason for their lackluster performance.
For Pakistan to dream of a semi-final berth now, it’s imperative for them to win their next three matches with significant margins. Moreover, they’ll have to keep their fingers crossed and hope that teams like Australia and New Zealand face some setbacks in their upcoming matches.
World Cup 2023: On the eve of their pivotal match against Bangladesh, a visibly distressed Bradburn addressed the media. “We find ourselves in a position we didn’t hope for. Ideally, at this juncture of the tournament, we’d want control over our destiny, but the current scenario deprives us of that. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the entire squad,” he remarked. Bradburn went on to explain, “This tournament is on foreign soil for us. Our players are treading on grounds they’ve never played before. Every venue, including Kolkata, feels alien.”
Bradburn, however, was quick to emphasize that the team had not left any stone unturned in their preparations. “We’ve done our homework on our opponents and the venues. We came prepared for every single match. But the truth remains – each stadium is unfamiliar, yet I believe our team’s understanding, skills, quality, and the support they receive hasn’t waned.”
World Cup 2023: For those not in the know, Grant Bradburn’s association with Pakistan cricket isn’t new. Before his current role, he served as the fielding coach. Earlier this year, in May, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) entrusted him with the mantle of head coach, offering a two-year contract. Reflecting on the team’s journey, Bradburn stated, “Ideal preparation for such a grand event ideally begins four years in advance. Our preparations kickstarted merely six months ago. We altered our gameplay, especially in the ODIs, and the results in the past half-year have been promising.”
While the debate on Pakistan’s performance continues, it’s evident that the team, under Bradburn’s guidance, is striving hard against the odds. Only time will tell if they can surmount the challenges ahead.
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