In the wake of Pakistan’s humiliating loss to India in the T20 World Cup 2024, former captain Wasim Akram has unleashed a torrent of criticism directed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national cricket team. The legendary cricketer took to his social media channels, posting a blistering video in which he called for significant changes within the team, emphasizing the need for bold steps to rectify the ongoing issues in Pakistan cricket.
Akram’s Scathing Critique
The day after the India-Pakistan match, Akram didn’t hold back his frustrations, stating that it was preferable to lose with 6-7 new players rather than persist with experienced international cricketers who displayed a lack of game awareness. His critique extended to key figures like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, pointing out that the T20 World Cup was not the appropriate time to dwell on the captaincy saga.
“It was a very, very sad day for the Pakistan cricket team. I keep saying that there is always a win and loss in the game. But the way they lost the match, either me or you have to tell the PCB what is going wrong. Why do we have to do this? Because enough is enough, we need changes now. We need to bring in new players, 6-7 of them. If we have to lose, we will lose with the new kids. We will back them and make a fighting team,” Akram asserted passionately.
Calls for Leadership and Awareness
Akram’s frustration was palpable as he addressed the lack of situational awareness among the players, particularly slamming Mohammad Rizwan for his poor decision-making. “A captain and a coach cannot teach you what situational awareness is. Who you have to see off, who you have to attack. And you cannot be spoon-feeding everything,” he said, pointing out Rizwan’s ill-advised attempt to sweep India’s premier bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.
A Plea to the PCB Chairman
In his video, Akram directly appealed to the PCB chairman to take decisive action. “I have a request for the chairman of PCB, take a bold step, forget about who is angry for not getting captaincy, you are working for the country, stop these things,” he implored, highlighting the need to prioritize national interest over personal grievances.
Match Analysis
The high-stakes India-Pakistan clash took place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan failed to chase a modest target of 120 runs. Despite favorable pitch conditions, the Pakistani batsmen struggled, eventually posting a meager 113 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.
“It was the best New York pitch we have seen. Rizwan has batted for 10-12 overs and you try and sweep their best bowler – Bumrah? I want the PCB chairman to give us a break because we cannot take this anymore. I am a really positive person, but getting almost knocked out? I don’t think we deserve to qualify for the Super 8 stage,” Akram concluded his rant.
Pakistan’s Tournament Standing
Pakistan’s performance has placed them on the brink of elimination from the T20 World Cup. Their progression to the Super 8 stage now hinges on the outcomes of other teams’ matches, leaving their fate out of their own hands.
Wasim Akram’s impassioned plea reflects the deep disappointment and frustration of Pakistani cricket fans, calling for a comprehensive overhaul to rebuild and strengthen the national team for future challenges.
