Despite a challenging target of 120, Pakistan was in a strong position against India in New York on Sunday, reaching 80 for three in 14 overs with Mohammad Rizwan leading the chase. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant spell turned the tide, resulting in a narrow six-run loss for Pakistan in their second T20 World Cup match. This defeat leaves their campaign in jeopardy, prompting strong reactions from cricket legends.
Wasim Akram’s Critique
Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram did not hold back in his criticism of senior players Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Fakhar Zaman, accusing them of lacking game awareness. “They have been playing cricket for 10 years, and I can’t teach them. Rizwan has no game awareness,” Akram said on Star Sports. He specifically criticized Rizwan’s reckless shot against Bumrah’s first delivery in a new spell, saying, “He should have known that Bumrah was given the ball to take wickets and that the wise thing would have been to play his deliveries cautiously. But Rizwan went for a big shot and lost his wicket.”
Akram also suggested a complete overhaul of the team while keeping the coaches. “Pakistani players think that if they don’t perform well, the coaches will be sacked, and nothing will happen to them. It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team,” he added.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Disappointment
Shoaib Akhtar, speaking on his YouTube channel, expressed his frustration over Pakistan’s inability to secure a win from a winning position. “Very disappointing. It was a run-a-ball chance for Pakistan. Earlier, India’s middle-order messed it up. They were 80-odd in 11 overs and could have achieved around 160 but couldn’t. But for Pakistan, it was a close chance. Rizwan could have scored another 20 runs and won the game for the team. Sadly, we didn’t apply our brains,” Akhtar said. He lashed out at the middle-order for not applying themselves during the chase, adding, “A lot of things are questionable, their intent, the application… it’s really sad for the team. Pakistan should have won this game. They were pretty much in the game, requiring 46 runs in 47 balls when Fakhar was there. We had 7 wickets in hand but we couldn’t do it. I’m speechless and hurt, that’s about it.”
Waqar Younis’s Reaction
Waqar Younis was left speechless by Pakistan’s performance. “They are a super team. Pakistan – if you can’t win this game, what should I say? This was given to you on a plate and Pakistan really spilled it. It was a horrible performance by the Pakistani batters. There were a few partnerships in the beginning but they couldn’t really finish the game,” he told Star Sports.
Internal Strife in Pakistan Team
Akram also revealed internal strife within the team, particularly between captain Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, who are reportedly not on speaking terms following a recent change in captaincy. “There are players who don’t want to talk to each other. This is international cricket, and you play for your country. Make these players sit at home,” he said.
Looking Ahead
This loss leaves Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign in a precarious position. The criticism from legends like Akram, Akhtar, and Younis underscores the urgent need for introspection and significant changes ahead of their next match.