'Disgraceful, worst Pakistan team': Fans express frustration as Babar Azam and Co. stare at embarrassing whitewash in England

'Disgraceful, worst Pakistan team': Fans express frustration as Babar Azam and Co. stare at embarrassing whitewash in England originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Pakistan were bowled out for 133 at Edgbaston, with their entire top five failing to reach double figures for the first time in England.

Babar Azam was dismissed for seven, without a Test century in nearly four years, as Pakistan's tour reached a new low point.

Pakistan fans at the ground expressed hurt and frustration, though many backed the team to show more intent going forward.

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Pakistan fans erupt in anger over Edgbaston surrender and imminent 3-0 series whitewash

If Pakistan's first two Tests in England were bad, Edgbaston offered something worse: a statistical embarrassment that may define this tour for years.

They were bowled out for 133 on what was the most favourable batting surface of the entire series. In the process, Pakistan produced a first innings so shambolic it entered the record books for all the wrong reasons.

Pakistan's entire top five all failed to reach double figures in the same Test innings in England.

Saim Ayub, recalled to the lineup, went for a duck, LBW to an Ollie Robinson inswinger. Azan Awais and Abdullah Shafique both came and went cheaply, and Pakistan were 26 for four inside ten overs when experienced campaigner Shan Masood, who should have known better, holed out attempting a tame pull off Archer.

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Babar Azam, a captain without a Test century in nearly four years, then offered nothing to suggest his form was about to turn. He was clean bowled for seven by Josh Tongue, a delivery that jagged back off the seam and found the gap between bat and pad.

Three Pakistan players were making their Test debuts here, wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah, and Ghori was lbw to Tongue for just four. Pakistan were seven wickets down before lunch, before they were eventually bundled out for 133 in 33.5 overs.

The 10th-wicket partnership between Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali, 46 balls of desperate hanging on, was actually the longest partnership of the entire innings. To frame it differently: two tailenders spent more time at the crease together than any pair of recognised batters managed all day.

MORE: 'It's depressing': Pakistan's batting hits new low as Saud Shakeel concedes team 'not used to facing' conditions in England

Pakistan fans at Edgbaston speak out: 'Letting themselves down'

The Pakistan supporters who filled sections of the Edgbaston stands, bringing noise, colour and passion as they always do, couldn't hide their feelings by the close of play. Broadcaster Isa Guha spoke to fans who'd travelled and spent money and time to be there.

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One of them said: "We're really hurt, and you know we pay good money to come to these games. For instance, Imam ul-Haq in the last match, when he had like a hamstring injury, when he refused to come out, we just find that really disgraceful as well, so we're really disappointed and hurt, Isha."

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Another fan offered a more measured take, acknowledging England's quality while still demanding better.

"I mean, at the moment, you can't really say that there is much to expect," he said. "We know that every time Pakistan is at the bottom, they always surprise. So yeah, we expect some fun.

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A flag-seller summed it up and said: "Haven't sold in any fad at all. I think this is the worst Pakistani team. "

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This tour demands more than a reset; it demands honesty

The numbers from this tour are damning, but what they represent is more troubling than the scorecards. Pakistan have consistently failed to hold their nerve in big moments, wilted in conditions that weren't perfect, and collapsed with a regularity that suggests technical problems nobody is fixing quickly enough.

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Babar Azam without a Test century in four years is a crisis hiding in plain sight. A captain who isn't contributing at the top level drags team morale and puts extra pressure on everyone below him.

MORE: Akram speaks of deeper issues as Pakistan stares at series whitewash in England

The mid-tour overhaul, sacking seven players and changing head coaches, hasn't worked as a shock tactic. If anything, it destabilised the remaining players further and handed England five debutants to target.

Pakistan cricket needs a proper structural rethink, not reactive decisions and post-match management speak. The fans at Edgbaston who show up every series and spend real money deserve a team that shows up with preparation, intent and something resembling a plan. They didn't get that here.

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