Five Big Stars Who Have Fallen Short in Cricket World Cup 2023:
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has unfolded as a rollercoaster of emotions for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. With its riveting matches, nail-biting conclusions, and unforeseen twists, this tournament has undeniably lived up to its reputation for excitement. Nevertheless, amid all the thrill, the cricketing world has witnessed some renowned figures who, unexpectedly, failed to meet the high expectations set for them. In this article, we delve into the five prominent stars who turned out to be the unexpected underachievers of the 2023 World Cup.
Babar Azam
Babar Azam, often likened to the legendary Virat Kohli, is celebrated for his elegant strokeplay and unwavering consistency. Sadly, in this tournament, Azam has found it challenging to convert his starts into substantial scores. His team’s hopes rested on him to anchor the innings, but he has fallen short on numerous occasions. He is one of the best batsmen in the world, but he has also struggled in the Cricket World Cup so far. He has scored just 65 runs in 3 matches, with a highest score of 58.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, renowned for his thunderbolt deliveries and lethal swing, was poised to be a linchpin for his team in the World Cup. Nevertheless, much to the chagrin of both fans and pundits, Starc’s performance has fallen well short of expectations. His struggle to locate the correct line and length proved costly in crucial encounters. He is one of the most feared bowlers in the world, but he has had a disappointing ODI World Cup so far. He has struggled to find his rhythm and has been expensive, taking just 5 wickets in 3 matches.
Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan the vice-captain of the Pakistan cricket team and the all-rounder has neither performed with the bat nor with the ball. Shadab has been trusted with the duty of being the primary spinner. He has been poor with the ball and leaked away runs for quite some time now. With the bat as well, he has contributed nothing significantly. Questions are being raised about his place in the XI. Shadab Khan is a versatile all-rounder who is expected to play a key role for Pakistan in the ongoing World Cup. However, he has failed to deliver so far, taking just 2 wickets and scoring 34 runs in 3 matches.
Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler’s prowess with the bat and his ability to obliterate any bowling attack is well-documented. However, in this World Cup, he has failed to leave a significant mark. His batting has lacked the explosiveness he is renowned for, and his wicketkeeping skills have failed to shine. He is one of the most exciting batsmen in the world, but he has been unable to fire in the World Cup so far. He has scored just 72 runs in 3 matches, with a highest score of 43.
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Afridi, the youthful and fiery fast bowler, possessed the potential to be a game-changer for his team. However, his inconsistency in maintaining line and length allowed opposition batsmen to assert dominance. This has been a far cry from his usual impressive displays. Shaheen is one of the most exciting fast bowlers in the world, but he has been inconsistent in the Cricket World Cup so far. He has taken 4 wickets in 3 matches, but he has also been expensive.
Conclusion
In a tournament where expectations soar, these five stars have left their fans disheartened with their underwhelming performances. It’s essential to bear in mind that cricket is a game of uncertainties, and even the best can have off days. However, for these players, it is imperative to regroup, glean valuable lessons from their mistakes, and return with renewed vigor in the upcoming matches. The pressure of playing in the World Cup could also be a factor. The Cricket World Cup is the biggest tournament in cricket, and there is a lot of pressure on the players to perform.
