Srinagar: Legendary Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram has revealed that people attacked him online when the former pacer criticised Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan in early stages of Asia Cup.
Mohammad Rizwan was top scorer for Pakistan in Asia Cup but his slow scoring has lead to former players including Wasim Akram criticising the cricketer.
Rizwan finished his campaign in Asia Cup 2022 as the top run-scorer after surpassing Virat Kohli.
Rizwan, who was 50 runs short of Kohli’s tally of 276 runs, hit 55 runs off 49 balls against Sri Lanka in the final, albeit in a losing cause.
“At the beginning of the tournament, I had said that the openers won’t mess up but struggle in games like these. That’s exactly what happened today,” Akram told host broadcaster Star Sports after the final.
“I’m very sceptical about ‘anchoring’ in T20 cricket. It’s overrated because you have got 10 wickets and 20 overs. I like India’s new template and Sri Lanka also didn’t have anybody who played the role of an anchor. It’s unfair to pick one guy but he (Rizwan) is a glaring example of Pakistan’s approach. You can’t have Rizwan batting at strike rate of 104 in the 16th over when you are chasing 171,” said Sanjay Manjrekar in response.
“He (Rizwan) had done the same thing against Hong Kong if you remember. I criticised him, which was healthy criticism. And people attacked me on social media. Pakistan people said that I don’t support Rizwan. If you want my opinion, I will give you the right and straightforward opinion. I am not the guy who will lie about what I see. Black is black and white is white for me,” Akram added.