Credit: Twitter
Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar shared his views after the Pakistani team suffered a historic eight-wicket loss against Afghanistan in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Playing in Chennai, the Men in Green batted first and posted a competitive total of 282 runs. But the Pakistan bowling put forth a dismal performance with Afghanistan completing a magical chase to register their second win of the World Cup.
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Reacting to the performance, Shoaib Akhtar expressed his disappointment on YouTube as talked about the team’s issues stemming from the management. Akhtar stressed on how supporting mediocrity and average recruitment have resulted in these performances over the recent Asia Cup and the on-going World Cup.
Speaking on his Youtube channel, Akhtar said, “You can’t say much after watching this performance. Please put right man for the right place for god sake. Anyone is becoming chairman, for how long we will keep supporting mediocrity. You will keep putting the average people at the helm, you will keep receiving such average performances.”
Also Read: Babar Azam reacts to Pakistan's eight-wicket loss to Afghanistan in CWC 2023
Further, Shoaib Akhtar questioned Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, and expressed how he would demand the Pakistan number three to step up his game. He also asked to bring back Fakhar Zaman as the Men in Green lack fire power at the top.
He said, “I have played for Pakistan, my heart bleeds. I will keep supporting Pakistan. If I would have been with Babar now I would have told him step up as captain. This is the worst, which has happened. Now we are playing four teams and let win them all.
Also Read: Afghanistan team take victory lap celebrating historic win over Pakistan
“If he is watching my videos, okay the system is messed up .. leave it. Play right people. Bring Fakhar back, give him the license to attack. Bring Zaman, look for other options. Play aggressively. Babar should also bat with the strike rate of 120. Pakistan is batting with the strike rate of 80 and 90. Gurbaz was playing at 122. Pakistan plays 150 dot balls in every match. We are scare.”
Similarly, Shoaib Akhtar criticized Azam and other key players like Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi and questioned their ability to emulate former greats like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and more. He said, “Does Babar has the courage, does he has the stamina? does he has the ability? Can he act like 1992 Imran Khan? Can Shaheen become Wasim Akram? Can Haris Rauf become Aquib Javed, Can Shadab become Mushtaq Ahmed? Can this team do this? I believe in this team but do they? God knows.”
