Missing flair of old, Pak off to winning start in Asia Cup

Mercurial talents have given way to pragmatism but only time will tell if this will serve them well

- Somshuvra Laha

Decades ago, fantasy cricket was the otherworldly experience of clubbing India’s batters and Pakistan's bowlers into an eleven that would inflict crushing victories in our wildest imaginations.

It was always the most dysfunctional family in international cricket but Pakistan still appealed by dint of boasting stars who could single-handedly change the course of the game. It was a charm offensive even the unreasonable, obsessive cricket fans across the border couldn't resist falling for.

These days, Pakistan hardly give a reason to be remembered. So high is their player attrition rate that the last few scorecards have to be checked to ascertain if any name has been missed. Heads have rolled and now they have probably one of the most unremarkable captains ever in Salman Agha.

To say the team has been in doldrums is an understatement. Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy this year but couldn’t make the last four. Same with the last three ODI World Cups, as well as the last T20 World Cup. The T20 World Cup before that in 2022 was probably the last time Pakistan shone, going all the way to the final before being mauled by a rampaging England.