Pakistan star Mohammad Rizwan has acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and the valid criticism they’ve received following their dismal performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The Asian giants suffered an embarrassing exit in the group stage, failing to qualify for the Super 8s in the Caribbean. Their campaign started with a shocking Super Over defeat against the USA, a non-Test playing nation, followed by another loss to arch-rivals India.

Rizwan himself endured a forgettable tournament with the bat, mustering only 110 runs in four innings at a sluggish strike rate of 90.90. His dismissal against India, where he threw away his wicket after a slow 33 runs from 44 balls, drew particular criticism for poor shot selection.

However, the wicketkeeper-batter displayed refreshing honesty in a recent media interaction. He admitted that the criticism is “justified” and the team “deserves this” for failing to meet expectations.

“Players who can’t face criticism won’t be able to succeed,” Rizwan stated firmly, suggesting a willingness to learn from their mistakes.

This honest self-reflection is a positive sign for Pakistan cricket. Acknowledging their flaws paves the way for improvement. Whether Rizwan’s words translate into action on the field remains to be seen, but accepting responsibility is a crucial first step.

Pakistan fans will undoubtedly hope that the team can learn from this experience and bounce back stronger in future tournaments.