(AP Photo)
Wasim Akram has once again criticized the Pakistani cricket establishment for its inconsistent management, which he believes is adversely affecting the team’s performance on the field.
Under the leadership of Babar Azam, Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies ended prematurely during the Group stages. Despite finishing as runners-up in the previous edition, the team’s hopes were dashed after consecutive losses to the USA and India.
In the tournament before 2022, Pakistan reached the semi-finals but were defeated by eventual champions Australia, who secured their first T20 World Cup title in 2021. Last year, Babar Azam and his team had a mixed showing in the ICC Cricket World Cup in India, failing to make the top 4 for the second consecutive time.
Expectations were high for them in the ongoing T20 World Cup, but their performance did not live up to expectations. Defeats against the USA and India led to Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, and subsequent victories over Canada and Ireland did little to salvage their campaign.
Following Pakistan’s early elimination, several former cricketers, including 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram, voiced their criticism of the current system. Akram, known for his outspoken views, commented on the team’s lack of seriousness and once again launched a severe critique of their performance.
Wasim Akram expressed bewilderment over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s frequent changes in leadership, particularly the abrupt removal of Shaheen Afridi from captaincy following a 4-1 series defeat in New Zealand. Speaking to Sportskeeda, Akram highlighted the instability caused by the PCB appointing three different chairmen within a year. He criticized the quick succession from Ramiz Raja to Najam Sethi, followed shortly by Zaka Ashraf, and then the current chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
“They replaced Shaheen Afridi as captain and then changed three chairmen in a single year. First, they removed Ramiz (Raja) before he even settled in. Then came Najam Sethi. After a brief stint, Zaka Ashraf took over. Within a few months, Mohsin Naqvi was installed as the new PCB chairman,” Akram remarked to Sportskeeda.
Wasim Akram has raised doubts about the Pakistan Cricket Board’s judgment in reinstating Babar Azam as the captain for white-ball cricket. He criticized this decision, pointing out that it led to the swift dismissal of newly appointed T20 captain Shaheen Afridi after just one month. Akram suggested that the PCB should have allowed Shaheen at least a year before considering a change in leadership.
Expressing concern, Akram appealed to the PCB to make more considered decisions going forward. He emphasized that the Board’s quick and seemingly hasty choices have diminished their credibility in the international cricket community.
“How can the team be consistent then? They replaced Babar with Shaheen as Pakistan’s captain. The latter lost one series and the chairman was changed during that phase. The newcomer asked to change the captain and got it done. This is just not on. People make fun of us in world cricket. They don’t get it. If you have made (Shaheen) Afridi the captain, give him a year.” – Wasim Akram concluded.
