Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar tore into Babar Azam, the Pakistan team management, and the PCB following their shocking defeat against Afghanistan in Chennai.
This loss has put the Pakistan team in a corner: they now have 3 losses in 5 games and need to win their remaining 4 matches to keep their semi-final hopes alive in World Cup 2023.
Pakistan lost by 8 wickets as Afghanistan chased down 283 runs in 49 overs with the top three recording half-centuries.
Pakistan had two half-centurions in their side. But while Shafique batted at a strike rate of 77 and Babar Azam scored runs at a strike rate of 80, Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed at a strike rate of 122 and Rahmat Shah at 31, making the difference between the two teams.
Shoaib Akhtar pleaded with Babar to bat at a higher strike rate and bring back Fakhar Zaman.
“If he (Babar Azam) is watching my videos, okay the system is messed up… leave it. Play right people. Bring Fakhar back, and give him the license to attack. Bring Zaman, and look for other options. Play aggressively. Babar should also bat with a strike rate of 120. Pakistan is batting with a strike rate of 80 and 90. Gurbaz was playing at 122. Pakistan plays 150 dot balls in every match. We are scared,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube video.
Which cricketer in this Pakistan team is inspiring: Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar lamented the lack of players who could step up on big occasions in the current Pakistan team, as they have not lost three matches in a row – vs India, Australia, and Afghanistan – after starting the tournament with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
The Rawalpindi Express also expressed his disappointment with Babar Azam for his poor captaincy with his bowling changes and lack of proactiveness during Afghanistan’s batting.
“Tell me one thing if this team has one inspiring cricketer. I have seen the likes of Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Steve Waugh, Allan Border, and Viv Richards. Which cricketer in this Pakistan team is inspiring enough for kids to pick up the sport? Why do people still watch our videos? We were inspiring the generation,” Shoaib Akhtar said.
“I have played for Pakistan, my heart bleeds. I will keep supporting Pakistan. Had I been with Babar now I would have told him to step up as captain. This is the worst, which has happened. Now we are playing four teams and let’s win them all.”
