Former Pakistani captain Wasim Akram has strongly criticized the performance of the current men's senior team led by Babar Azam, following their disappointing display against arch-rivals India in a T20 World Cup 2024 match held in New York on Sunday. Despite dominating for most of the game, Pakistan faltered in their batting during the middle overs while chasing a modest target of 120 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
At 80/4 in 14 overs, Pakistan needed 40 runs from 36 balls to overcome their arch-rivals India, but their momentum was halted when Jasprit Bumrah returned for his second spell. The leading pacer dismissed Mohamad Rizwan (31) and Iftikhar Ahmed (5) in the 15th and 19th over respectively, restricting Pakistan to 113/7 in 20 overs.
India clinched victory by six runs, despite initially facing a challenging situation in the match.
Expressing his thoughts on the Pakistan team, Akram criticized the senior batters for their lack of situational awareness.
"Pakistan ko dushman ki zarurat nahi hai, ye khudi bahut hain (Pakistan doesn't need an enemy, they are plenty themselves). Now should we put a pacifier in their mouths? Now we have to explain to them what situation awareness is. Babar will explain, the coach will explain," Akram said on Star Sports.
"These batsmen have been playing for the last 8-10 years. Now should I tell Rizwan that the main bowler has come for one over, to take a wicket? You didn't hit a boundary after 10 overs. Didn't even try. So even 120 couldn't be chased," he added.
The former fast bowler further expressed his disappointment, suggesting that the Pakistan team has reached a point where supporting them has become "embarrassing."
"Now it has started to become embarrassing. As a Pakistani, I want to back the Pakistan team. But there's a limit to everything," Akram said while slamming the Pakistan team.
Pakistan suffered defeats to co-hosts USA and India in their first two Group A matches in the tournament. With their hopes of advancing to the Super Eight stage dwindling after consecutive losses, they are set to face Canada in New York on Tuesday.
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