Wasim Akram criticises Pakistan

Asked to bat, India collapsed from 89-3 to 119 all out during the 2024 T20 World Cup match against Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. With 3-21 each, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf did most of the damage.

Pakistan were in control of the chase until deep into the innings. At one point, they needed 48 at a run a ball with eight wickets in hand, but led by Jasprit Bumrah (3-14), India restricted them to 113-7.

Wasim Akram tears into Pakistan

After the match, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram lambasted the team in no uncertain words on air: “They've been playing cricket for ten years. I can’t teach them ... Pakistani players think that if they don’t perform well, the coaches will be sacked, and nothing will happen to them. It's time to keep the coaches and change the entire team,” concluded Akram.

Akram was particularly harsh on Mohammad Rizwan, whom he accused of having “no game awareness”. After being dropped by Shivam Dube, Rizwan left the onslaught for too late. When he did, it was – inexplicably – to the first ball of a new spell from Bumrah, the best bowler of the day, and was bowled for a 44-ball 31.

“He should've known that Bumrah was given the ball to take wickets and that the wise thing would've been to play his deliveries cautiously,” complained Akram, “but Rizwan went for a big shot and lost his wicket.” Pakistan needed 40 in 36 balls with seven wickets left when Rizwan attempted the shot.

Akram was not happy with the batting of Iftikhar Ahmed either. Pakistan needed 32 in 21 balls when Iftikhar joined Imad Wasim. He struggled to connect his strokes before Bumrah snared him for a nine-ball five. “Iftikhar Ahmed knows one shot on the leg side. He’s been a part of the team for years but doesn’t know how to bat,” said Wasim.

“I can’t go and tell about game awareness to Fakhar Zaman,” added Akram. He was perhaps being too harsh, for Fakhar (13 in eight balls) received a very good bouncer from Hardik Pandya. Cramped for room, he could only glove the ball to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.

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