Pakistan batting: Bigger disaster than Brexit?

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Web Desk
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Pakistan´s captain Sarfaraz Ahmed walks back to the pavilion after getting out for 8 runs during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between West Indies and Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, central England, on May 31, 2019.—AFP photo

NOTTINGHAM: They say the Pakistan cricket team is mercurial, unpredictable in their performances, with the ability to beat any side but also lose to weaker teams if things do not go their way.

But a Pakistani supporter posing with a message board at Trent Bridge at the end of the first innings during the Pakistan-West Indies World Cup fixture on Friday appeared to have perfectly summarised the Pakistani team—and their unpredictable batting order—in a crisp one-liner.

Pakistan were dismissed for 105 in 21.4 overs in their first World Cup 2019 match against the West Indies, with right arm fast bowler Oshane Thomas picking up 4 for 27. In response, Jason Holder's men reached the target in just 13.4 overs with 7 wickets to spare.

Pakistan supporters pose with a message board at the end of the first innings during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between West Indies and Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, central England, on May 31, 2019. Pakistan was dismissed for 105 in 21.4 overs, their second lowest total ever in the World Cup.—AFP photo. 

The score was Pakistan's all-time second lowest score in the World Cup, the lowest being 74 against England in 1992. It was also Pakistan's lowest World Cup total against West Indies, with their previous worst, 160 runs, scored back in 2015.

"This batting is a bigger disaster than Brexit. #CWC19," read the message on the board held up by the Pakistani fan on Friday, disappointed at yet another poor performance by the batsmen in green.

However, he added the words "anyone but India" at the end of the message, in a clear indication that fans do not want to see a similar performance by the Green Shirts again their archrivals.

Pakistan play favourites England on Monday, and have matches against Sri Lanka and Australia before they face their archrivals from neighbouring India on June 16 in Manchester.