Dubai: Following Pakistan’s six-wicket defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, former cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram did not hold back in their criticism of the team’s management. With the loss, which has all but eliminated Pakistan from the tournament, both legends of Pakistan cricket called for immediate changes in the team’s structure and approach.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Strong Critique
An emotional Shoaib Akhtar delivered a scathing assessment of Pakistan’s performance, expressing his frustration with the state of the national team. In a video that quickly went viral, Akhtar said, “I would not even talk about Pakistan cricket if I was not getting paid. Honestly, I have nothing to do with them anymore. I am requested to come here, so I come. I have no agenda to talk ill about them. Why should I waste my time?”
Akhtar took aim at the team’s management, particularly criticizing their decision to select only five bowlers. In modern cricket, where six bowlers are often used to strengthen the attack, he called the decision “brainless and clueless.” He added, “I am really disappointed. The players are just as the team management is! They don’t know what to do.”
Wasim Akram’s Call for Drastic Change
Wasim Akram, another legend of the game, echoed Akhtar’s sentiments, urging Pakistan to take bold steps in revamping their white-ball team. Akram believes that Pakistan’s cricket has been stuck in the past. “We are playing archaic cricket in white-ball for ages. This needs to change. Bring fearless cricketers, young blood into the team,” Akram said during a Dressing Room show.
He also pointed to concerning statistics about Pakistan’s bowling attack, stating, “In the last five ODIs, Pakistan bowlers have taken just 24 wickets at an average of 60. That is 60 runs per wicket! Our average is worse than Oman and the USA. Out of the 14 teams playing ODIs, Pakistan’s bowling average is the second worst.”
Criticism of Selection and Leadership
Akram did not stop there. He turned his attention to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its selection process. Akram questioned PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who he believes has failed to address the weaknesses in the squad. “Chairman saab, please call the captain, selection committee, and coach and ask them what kind of selection they have made,” Akram said, adding that players like Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha have not shown the ability to perform at the international level.
Akram also took aim at captain Mohammad Rizwan, blaming him for the team’s poor leadership. “Even the captain is to blame. He is the leader of the ship, and if he doesn’t know what kind of match-winner he needs, it’s embarrassing.”
Frustration Among Fans
The disappointment was palpable not just among the cricketers but also the fans. Akram described the frustration of Pakistan fans, who were seen leaving the stadium early during the match. “You should have seen the faces of Pakistan fans at the stadium. They left after 15 overs when Pakistan were bowling. I have never seen anything like that in my life,” Akram lamented.
Despite the team’s poor showing, both Akhtar and Akram praised Virat Kohli for his brilliant unbeaten century in India’s victory. “Hats off to him, he’s a superstar, a modern-day great. I really hope he reaches 100 international centuries,” Akhtar said.
Calls for an Overhaul
With Pakistan’s chances of progressing in the tournament now slim, the pressure is mounting on the PCB to reassess the team’s direction. Both Akhtar and Akram have called for drastic changes, emphasizing the need for a new, fearless approach to rebuild the team, particularly with an eye on the 2026 World T20.
Will Pakistan respond to the criticism and make the necessary changes? Time will tell, but for now, the calls for an overhaul of both management and selection have never been louder. Fans and pundits alike are hoping that the team takes the right steps to rebuild for the future.
