Pakistan cricket's rollercoaster ride in 2024

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The year 2024 was one of contrasts for Pakistan cricket, marked by moments of brilliance and instances of heartbreak. From a dismal start to the year to historic victories and captaincy changes, Pakistan’s cricketing journey was nothing short of eventful.  

Pakistan's year began with disappointment as Shan Masood’s tenure as Test captain opened with a 3-0 whitewash against Australia in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. This was followed by a 4-1 defeat in a T20I series against New Zealand. While the home T20I series against the same opponent ended in a draw, it felt like a missed opportunity.  

In March, Islamabad United claimed their third Pakistan Super League title by defeating Multan Sultans in a thrilling final. Youngster Hunain Shah hit the winning runs, providing relief to skipper Shadab Khan, who led his team to a remarkable triumph.  

Pakistan's journey to the T20 World Cup was inconsistent. A 2-1 T20I series win against Ireland offered hope, but it was followed by a 2-0 series loss to England.  

In the T20 World Cup, Pakistan failed to progress beyond the group stage. A narrow six-run defeat to India and a dramatic Super Over loss to the USA sealed their fate, as a washed-out game between the USA and Ireland confirmed their early exit.  

Pakistan’s Test series against Bangladesh was a historic low, as they suffered their first-ever Test series loss to the Tigers, intensifying the pressure on red-ball captain Shan Masood.

A surprising turnaround came during a home Test series against England. After losing the first match, the PCB introduced innovative methods, including using industrial fans to prepare dry pitches. The changes paid off as Pakistan secured a 2-1 series victory. Spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan dominated, taking 39 of England's 40 wickets in the final two matches.  

Mohammad Rizwan’s tenure as ODI captain began with historic success. Pakistan achieved their first ODI series victory on Australian soil since 2002, defeating the hosts 2-1. Rizwan then led the team to another ODI series win against Zimbabwe, while Salman Ali Agha captained the T20I side to a 2-1 victory in the same tour.  

Despite challenges, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi secured hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The breakthrough came after Naqvi proposed a "fusion formula" that involved neutral venues for matches between India and Pakistan. Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai were finalized as venues, marking a significant win for Pakistan cricket.  

Pakistan capped the year with a historic 3-0 ODI series whitewash against South Africa, a feat never achieved before on African soil. Star batter Saim Ayub’s outstanding performances were the highlight of the series.  

2024 saw significant leadership changes. Babar Azam stepped down as all-format captain, with Shan Masood taking over the Test side and Shaheen Afridi leading the T20I team. Both endured mixed results, leading to Mohammad Rizwan’s appointment. Rizwan’s leadership delivered historic ODI series wins and positioned Pakistan strongly for the Champions Trophy.  

The women’s team had a challenging year, beginning with series losses to the West Indies and England. Despite reaching the semi-finals of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup, their overall performance was disappointing, with only five wins in 19 T20Is and no ODI victories in 2024.  

Pakistan’s blind cricket team made history by clinching their maiden Blind T20 World Cup title, defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the final. The victory was a landmark moment, breaking India’s dominance in the tournament.  

While 2024 was a year of contrasts, it also showcased resilience and potential. With new stars emerging and strategic decisions shaping the team’s future, Pakistan cricket remains poised for a brighter journey ahead.