Pakistan’s narrow 6-run loss to India in the ongoing T20 World Cup has stirred significant agitation within the country’s cricket fraternity. The defeat at Nassau County Stadium in New York on Sunday marks Pakistan’s second consecutive loss in the tournament. Unable to chase a modest target of 120 set by India, Babar Azam’s team now faces the looming threat of an early exit from the competition, with zero points so far and only a couple of games left in the group stage.
Adding to the team’s woes, Babar Azam and his players are now facing severe criticism from former cricketers. One of the most vocal critics has been former captain Wasim Akram, who has called for a complete overhaul of the Pakistan cricket team following the disheartening defeat.
Speaking on Star Sports, Wasim Akram did not hold back in his criticism, particularly targeting players like Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Fakhar Zaman for their lack of game awareness.
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“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,” Wasim Akram said, expressing his frustration over Rizwan’s approach.
Akram was equally critical of Iftikhar Ahmed, saying, “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.” His comments reflect a broader concern about the technical and strategic deficiencies in the team.
Without naming specific players, Wasim Akram suggested that some team members who are not performing should be replaced.
“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,” he emphasized.
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Wasim Akram also highlighted issues of team cohesion and communication, noting, “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.” His comments underline the need for a more unified and strategically aware team as Pakistan faces the possibility of an early exit from the T20 World Cup.
