Pakistan once again fell short against India in the Asia Cup 2025 group stage clash on Sunday in Dubai, suffering a heavy defeat that has sparked intense criticism from within their own cricketing circles. Batting first, Pakistan managed only 127 runs in their 20 overs, with Sahibzada Farhan’s sluggish 40 being the lone resistance, briefly complemented by a late cameo from Shaheen Shah Afridi. In reply, India comfortably chased down the target with more than four overs to spare, sealing yet another one-sided win in the storied rivalry.

The result left Pakistan’s cricket fraternity fuming, with former captain Shoaib Malik delivering a scathing verdict on his country’s lack of progress. Speaking on Tapmad, Malik said the defeat didn’t surprise him at all, pointing out that Pakistan’s batting unit has consistently faltered whenever conditions have demanded application and technique.

“It’s not surprising at all. Whenever we encounter movement or spin, we collapse,” Shoaib Malik said bluntly. “We don’t know how to build an innings against quality bowling. Our shot selection is poor, and we can’t rotate the strike or find boundaries. That’s the harsh reality.”

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Malik further noted that the only slim chance Pakistan had was if they had posted a total in the range of 160–170, which could have given their bowlers something to defend. Instead, their batting imploded once again, leaving no room for a contest.

Warning of serious consequences, Shoaib Malik drew parallels with the decline of Pakistan hockey, suggesting cricket could face the same fate if urgent reforms are not implemented. “Hockey went down this path, and cricket is heading the same way. We never invested properly in the game, and the lack of skills is evident when we face top teams. Today’s loss is an eye-opener,” he said.

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He also criticised Pakistan’s inconsistent management cycle, where leadership changes every few months without any long-term vision. “We put everything on one person, and when he leaves, we’re back to square one. That cycle has destroyed the structure,” Malik lamented.

For Malik, the defeat wasn’t just about one bad day—it exposed the lack of skills required to compete at the highest level. “The truth is, we don’t have the skillset to challenge big teams,” he concluded, urging stakeholders to wake up before it’s too late.