Pakistan need major change after reaching 'lowest point', says Imad Wasim

**LAUDERHILL**: Pakistan cricket is at its lowest point and needs significant changes, according to all-rounder Imad Wasim, following the team's failure to advance past the group stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup.

The 2009 champions, who were finalists two years ago, suffered defeats against the United States and India, with their only win coming against Canada.

Pakistan’s final match is on Sunday against Ireland, a dead rubber with both teams already eliminated.

Addressing the exit, with the US and India moving to the Super Eight stage, Wasim acknowledged the deep disappointment.

"This is the lowest point. You can’t go any lower than this. That’s the fact," he stated during a press conference.

When asked about the need for major changes, the 35-year-old left-arm spinner emphasized the necessity for radical alterations.

"It’s not my domain, but I think there should be changes, and they should be drastic so we can move forward," he said.

Wasim, who returned from a brief retirement for this tournament, stressed that the required changes must be comprehensive.

"In everything and every aspect. How to take the game on? How to play the game? This is what I believed in and this is why I came back and tried to do things, but it didn’t happen," he added.

Following the shock loss to the US, Pakistan put up a close fight in a defeat against India in New York. Wasim noted that the context of the competition needed to be understood.

"You can also say the wickets are a bit tougher than what you think and any team can beat anyone. You can see Nepal was almost through. So, things can happen, but I think the approach, how we play the game, I think we will change that and all of the boys are eager to do that because this defeat hurt us really badly," he said.

**Mindset**

The key change required is in the mental approach to the game, Wasim suggested.

"I’m giving my personal opinion. Don’t make these headlines — it’s all your mindset. What mindset do you want to play the game with? You either play fire with fire, or you play your way.

"So, I personally believe that you should play fire with fire. And even if you lose, you can sit down and say to yourself that on that day we were not good enough," he explained.

"The problem is our team is so good, our players are so good that we are good enough to play any kind of cricket. So you have to get rid of the fear of failure mindset.

"In everything — batting, bowling, fielding, you have to get rid of the fear of failure mindset. As I said earlier, personnel changes don’t change anything, just changing the mindset can change a lot of things," he added.

"We compete with the world’s best teams. Their mindset has changed over time. We used to rule in T20 cricket. I think we have moved back a little now. If you change the mind of the player, you can achieve things beyond your limits. I always believe in this."

Wasim stated he would not make any decisions about his future until after Sunday’s game.

"As far as retirement is concerned, there’s a match tomorrow. We’ll play a match and obviously, after that, we’ll think about it and sort out whatever we need to. Because to be honest, a lot of things are going to be sorted out in the Pakistan team. The chairman and the board will sort it out.

"We have given away two games by ourselves. Losing to US, well, losing is part of the game, but we shouldn’t have lost to the US. Even against India — we had that game in our hands and we shouldn’t have lost. So, there is no excuse for anything. We are losing matches collectively," he said.

"After the match against Ireland — we will sit down and talk and then decide. I don’t do anything secretly. I told everyone when I retired last time. If something happens, I will come and tell everyone."