(AP Photo)
Pakistan’s narrow 6-run loss to India in the ongoing T20 World Cup has stirred frustration within the country’s cricket community. Despite their efforts, Babar Azam & Co faltered in their chase of 120 against their arch-rivals at Nassau County Stadium in New York on Sunday, marking their second consecutive defeat in the tournament. With zero points and a couple of games remaining in the group stage, the looming threat of early elimination hangs over Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the players, including skipper Babar Azam, are facing a barrage of criticism from former cricketers. Expressing his discontent over the humiliating defeat, former captain Wasim Akram has called for a complete overhaul of the Pakistan cricket team.
During an appearance on Star Sports, Akram criticized Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Fakhar Zaman for their perceived lack of game awareness.
“They have been playing cricket for 10 years, and I can’t teach them. Rizwan has no game awareness. He should have known that Bumrah was given the ball to take wickets and that the wise thing would have been to play his deliveries cautiously. But Rizwan went for a big shot and lost his wicket,” Akram said.
“Iftikhar Ahmed knows one shot on the leg side. He has been a part of the team for years but doesn’t know how to bat,” he added.
Without calling out names, Akram demanded the sacking of a few players who ‘don’t want to talk to each other’.
“I can’t go and tell about the game awareness to Fakhar Zaman. Pakistani players think that if they don’t perform well, the coaches will be sacked, and nothing will happen to them. It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team,” Akram further said
“There are players who don’t want to talk to each other. This is international cricket, and you play for your country. Make these players sit at home,” he added.
