Pakistan’s cricket team is currently riding high on success as they managed to defeat both South Africa and Zimbabwe in the away series. However, legendary cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar doesn’t seem much impressed with the team selection as he recently slammed Pakistan Cricket Board and the team management for not adhering to the requirements of modern-day cricket.
While speaking to PTV Sports, Shoaib Akhtar asserted that he was silent till now because the Pakistan cricket team was winning and it was important to support the national side. However, since now the series is over, one should introspect regarding where the team went wrong. He expressed his displeasure over the brand of cricket, the Men in Green are playing right now.
“There is no injustice as long as Pakistan is winning. If somebody misses out then that is ok. There was a series going on so it wasn’t necessary to criticize them during it. We support them so that they can make the right decisions. Now that the series is over, I am shouting my lungs out to say, ‘don’t play this type of cricket’. This is not acceptable. If you keep going this way, you will keep failing,”
Furthermore, Akhatr also expressed his disappointment over Mohammad Rizwan as he claimed that one can’t play as per their own will across all the three formats of the game. Shoaib believes every player should be ready to make adjustments for the team. He said:
“You don’t know what you are supposed to do with Rizwan. Rizwan also has to start thinking. This isn’t anyone’s uncle’s team that you can open in each format of the sport. You have to adjust the role given to you by the team. It is as simple as that. If you don’t, then there is the exit, you can leave. Don’t misbehave, just don’t select them.”
Akhtar also advised PCB to take immediate action and not let the team carry the backward mindset forward with them and urged the team management to select the right people, who deserve it. He said:
“I think the PCB must take a notice of the backward mindset being carried by the national team. They should tell them that this is the kind of cricket we want to play. This is Test cricket for us and this is the kind of strike rate I require from the captain and the team. Select the right people, those who deserve it. They should demand that,”
