Rubbish Pakistan make England look good

Pakistan not only lost to England but they also demoralised their supporters today. In their international return to The Oval, Pakistan produced an insipid performance that now endangers their chances of qualification for the next stage of the tournament.

The major problem for Pakistan supporters is that their team hasn't even come close to winning any of the warm-up matches or the opening encounter against the hosts. It is hard to pinpoint where Pakistan lost this match, as they lost it almost everywhere and every which way they turned. Pakistan, in truth, have looked below par in every department, with the biggest concerns around the fielding and batting.

A lack of ability could be excused but a lack of competitiveness cannot. Pakistan's team has given the appearance of taking this whole tournament too lightly, which is a shock as this is Pakistan's opportunity to remind that world that it is a cricketing power that should not be ignored. On these performances, Pakistan can be easily ignored.

Younis Khan described the tournament as "fun" and something not to be taken too seriously as its main role is to entertain supporters. The miserable expressions of thousands of Pakistan fans in the stadium would beg to differ.

These supporters have been brought up on the bravado of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Inzamam-ul Haq. The current approach of the Pakistan squad and its entourage is an insult to its millions of supporters and their heroic predecessors.

After all, this is a World Cup. Supporters pay to watch at the stadium, via satellite, and on the Internet. They want to see their team win. If not win, they want to see their team battle. Fun comes a poor third in the hierarchy.

Pakistan need to quickly get their priorities right. Even a win against The Netherlands may not now be enough.

Ultimately, though, it is hard to blame the players entirely. When a cricket administration is as hopeless as the PCB has been, how can we expect the players to be impeccable professionals?

A trivial match against The Netherlands has now acquired the flavour of a World Cup Final. Come on Pakistan, show some pride and passion.