Published: Feb 25, 2025, 02:23 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 25, 2025, 02:23 PM (IST)
The Pakistan team had gone through a series of changes after their failure in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Still, the result in the same for the Men in Green, as they are knocked-out from the 2025 edition of ICC Champions Trophy. The way in which Pakistan saw a defeat has raised questions related to the cricketing affairs in the board. However, one of the country’s greatest cricketers, Wasim Akram has had enough of this.
In the post-match analysis, Akram did not hesitate to speak up about the Pakistan team, and accused them of playing cricket at time where the momentum of the game had to be increased by a lot.
“Drastic steps needed. We are playing archaic cricket in white-ball for ages,” Wasim Akram said on the show ‘Dressing Room’.
“This need to change. Bring fearless cricketers, young blood into the team. If you have to make five-six changes. Please make it. You keep losing for next six months. Its fine but start building team for World T20 2026 from now onwards,” he added.
Akram put light on some statistics that are concerning to the Pakistan’s bowling unit and their repeated failures on the international stage.
“Enough is enough. You have made them the stars. In the last five ODIs, Pakistan bowlers have managed to get 24 wickets at an average of 60. That is 60 runs per wicket. Our average is even poor than Oman and USA. In 14 teams who are playing ODIs, Pakistan’s bowling average is second worst,” he said.
Akram even hurled harsh words towards the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the selection committee and even the head coach, especially since he had promised the team to ‘surprise’ India in the Champions Trophy clash.
“Chairman saab (sir) pls call captain, selection committee and coach and ask them what kind of selection they have made. Khusdil Shah and Salam Agha did they ever looked like taking wickets? I am literally shouting for weeks that this squad is not good but chairman said they have assembled the best squad,” the legendary fast bowler asserted.
Akram then lashed out at Pakistan captain Mohammed Rizwan, stating that he is also the one who needs to be blamed for the Champions Trophy massacare.
“A day before the Champions Trophy, they did a meeting for an hour but they came out with the same squad. Even captain (Rizwan) is to blame. He is the leader of the ship and if he doesn’t know what kind of match-winner he needs. It’s getting embarrassing now. You should have seen the faces of Pakistan fans who were at the stadium. They left the venue after 15 overs when Pakistan were bowling,” he concluded.
With the Pakistan team out of the tournament, this is the first time ever in an ICC tournament history that the hosting nation team has been out of the tournament. India’s chances of semifinal clash are now confirmed, and the Champions Trophy is now on a corner where it will be interesting to witness what happens next.
