A columnist for Business Recorder has passionately argued: "Pathetic show by Pakistan at the ICC World Cup 2015 has saddened the whole nation so much so that in an unprecedented wave of anger and anguish all segments of society voiced concerns - politicians, economists, media and people on the street. One entity which opted to exercise official silence on the subject is the PCB governing board and its chairman.
However, Pakistan's captain Misbahul Haq did show responsibility by making a categorical admission of failure and citing the reasons for the same." What Misbah said at that press conference does not, however, give birth to any legitimate hope because Pakistan have suffered two straight defeats with wide margins. Prospects have been bleakened by the facts that Ireland have secured four points in the first two matches that they have played so far. That Ireland now have four of the top to highest successful run chases in World Cup history is a fact that has brightened their prospects for the quarter-finals.
Pakistan, who are blighted by the absence of all-rounders such as Abdul Razzak, need to work really harder to improve their prospects with a view to qualifying for the quarter-finals.