The overwhelming sentiment for the Pakistan team in 2022, at least in white-ball cricket, was of being so close yet so far.
It could have been such a memorable year for Babar Azam's team. They reached the final of the Asia Cup 20-over tournament in the UAE, where they were the overwhelming favourites against a weakened Sri Lanka team and especially after they were chasing under lights – a massive advantage in the evening dew.
However, Sri Lanka pulled a rabbit out of the hat to stun Pakistan in the title match in Dubai.
Then at the T20 World Cup, they had India down and out in Melbourne as their opponents needed 48 from 18. Then, Virat Kohli played the greatest innings of his life shatter Pakistan's hearts.
Still, Pakistan – who had slipped further after defeat to Zimbabwe in their next game – fought hard and, as results went their way, they made it all the way to the final. There, England got stuck while chasing a modest 138. If only pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi had not aggravated his knee injury during the game, maybe Pakistan would have pulled off the impossible.
However, all of that is in the past. There is a new selection panel – headed by Shahid Afridi – and board in place after Ramiz Raja was removed as chairman. Also, England handed Azam's team a chastening 3-0 Test series at home, which would hurt particularly and is likely to have long-term consequences on a few careers.
Next year will be crucial on and off he field. Azam will have to land a major win to ensure he remains the undisputed captain of the national team. Also, there is uncertainty over Pakistan being able to host the 50-over Asia Cup in 2023 as India players are unlikely to visit the country. It is a complicated issue that could blow up in the coming months.
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Sri Lanka celebrate after beating Pakistan in the Asia Cup final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 11, 2022. All images by Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sri Lanka celebrate after beating Pakistan by 23 runs in the Asia Cup final. -
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka, left and man of the match Bhanuka Rajapaksa. -
Sri Lanka celebrate after beating Pakistan in the Asia Cup final. -
Sri Lanka players celebrate after beating Pakistan. -
Sri Lanka bowler Chamika Karunaratne celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Haris Rauf to win the game in Dubai. -
Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan batter Mohammad Rizwan. -
Pakistan opner Mohammad Rizwan scored 55. -
Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan bats with Iftikhar Ahmed. -
Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed during his knock of 32. -
Sri Lanka bowler Pramod Madushan celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam for five. -
Pakistan's Shadab Khan lies injured after attempting a catch. -
Sri Lanka's Pramod Madushan celebrates after bowling Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman for a duck. -
Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva during his knock of 36. -
Pakistan's Naseem Shah after bowling Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis for a duck. -
Pakistan bowler Haris Rauf after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva. -
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka was out for eight -
Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa after reaching 50. -
Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis is bowled Pakistan's Naseem Shah. -
Pakistan's Haris Rauf celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka for one. -
Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa during his unbeaten knock of 71. -
Pakistan's Haris Rauf celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka, who was caught by Babar Azam. -
Pakistan's Haris Rauf bowls Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka. -
Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva scored 28. -
Pakistan's Shadab Khan bowls Sri Lanka batter Dasun Shanaka for two. -
Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, left, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. -
Sri Lanka fans before the game in Dubai. -
A Sri Lanka and Pakistan fan before the game. -
General view of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the game.
JANUARY
Pakistan v New Zealand at home
January 2-6: Second Test, Karachi
Jan 9: First ODI, Karachi
Jan 11: Second ODI, Karachi
Jan 13: Third ODI, Karachi
FEBRUARY-MARCH
Pakistan Super League
From February 13 to March 19
APRIL
Pakistan v New Zealand at home
April 13: First T20, Karachi
April 15: Second T20, Karachi
April 16: Third T20, Karachi
April 19: Fourth T20, Karachi
April 23: Fifth T20, Lahore
April 26: First ODI, Lahore
April 28: Second ODI, Lahore
May 1: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
May 4: Fourth ODI, Rawalpindi
May 7: Fifth ODI, Rawalpindi
JULY
Pakistan v Sri Lanka away
Two Tests
AUGUST
Pakistan v Afghanistan in UAE
Three ODIs
SEPTEMBER
Asia Cup (50 overs) at neutral venue
OCTOBER- NOVEMBER
ICC World Cup (50 overs) in India
DECEMBER-JANUARY
Pakistan v Australia away
Three Tests
