Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar came down heavily on his national side after their crushing seven-wicket defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025. India’s bowlers exposed Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup, restricting them to a modest 127/9 in 20 overs. Kuldeep Yadav’s clever wrist spin and Axar Patel’s disciplined all-round display proved decisive, leaving Pakistan searching for answers yet again.
The only spark in an otherwise dismal innings came from Shaheen Shah Afridi, who played a valiant cameo of 33 runs off just 16 balls. With three sixes to his name, Afridi ensured Pakistan avoided an even greater humiliation. But his lower-order resistance only highlighted the failures of Pakistan’s top order.
India, in contrast, chased down the target with ease. Suryakumar Yadav’s effortless 47 off 37 balls anchored the innings, while Shivam Dube and others ensured the game ended in under 16 overs. The result showcased not only India’s dominance but also the glaring gulf in class between the two sides.
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Shoaib Akhtar, known for his blunt opinions, was scathing in his criticism. “This was a disappointing performance across all departments. Honestly, I think Saim Ayub bowled well, but we’re praising mediocrity. At 35, we suddenly think we’ve found a proper spinner? That’s the state of our cricket,” he said with biting sarcasm.
The Rawalpindi Express didn’t stop there, pointing to the broader decline in Pakistan cricket. “We got a clear reminder that Pakistan plays at a much lower standard compared to the top nations. While the rest of the world plays international cricket at the highest level, we look like a team stuck at club cricket.”
Akhtar’s harshest words were reserved for the batting unit, which once again wilted under pressure. “Our quality of batting was exposed completely. Look at Suryakumar Yadav — he was sweeping and cutting without any difficulty, while our players looked clueless.” The irony wasn’t lost on him that Afridi, a frontline bowler, was Pakistan’s top scorer.
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“If facing India’s spinners was so tough, how did Shaheen Shah Afridi smash 33 off 16 with clean hits? It’s embarrassing that the tail fights harder than the top order.” In his final assessment, Akhtar was brutally honest. “We lack quality. We’re not in the league of India, England, Australia, or South Africa. At best, we’re just a little better than associate nations.”
