Imad Wasim Accepts Responsibility for Pakistan’s Defeat Against India

KARACHI: Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has called on the national team to accept responsibility for their performances after a disappointing run in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, stressing that experienced players must stop shifting blame to management or external factors.

Pakistan’s struggles intensified after a heavy 61-run defeat to India in Colombo, marking their biggest loss to their arch-rivals in T20 World Cup history. The result has triggered widespread criticism of the team’s performance, tactics, and mental approach in high-pressure matches.

Speaking on a sports program, Imad Wasim dismissed the argument that inexperience is the root cause of Pakistan’s repeated failures in ICC tournaments. He pointed out that the majority of players in the current squad have featured in over 100 T20 matches, including international fixtures and global franchise leagues.

He emphasized that when seasoned cricketers fail to deliver in major ICC events, the responsibility lies with the players themselves rather than coaches or the cricketing system. According to Imad, a group that has played 100 to 150 T20 matches should have the maturity and skill to handle pressure situations, particularly in high-stakes contests like Pakistan vs India encounters.

Reflecting on his own journey, Imad recalled his comeback alongside Mohammad Amir with the shared ambition of winning a T20 World Cup after years of competing in leagues worldwide. However, he acknowledged that their campaign did not unfold as planned.

He specifically referenced the ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash against India, where he scored 15 off 23 balls and faced intense criticism. Imad said he accepted accountability the very next day by admitting in the dressing room that he had underperformed. He maintained that acknowledging mistakes does not diminish a player’s stature but instead opens the door for honest self-assessment and improvement.

Imad urged current squad members to adopt a similar mindset, accept that Pakistan were outplayed, and commit to correcting technical and strategic shortcomings. He concluded that the team must recognize they were not good enough against India, accept collective responsibility for poor bowling and batting, and focus on rectifying errors ahead of future international assignments.