Pakistan cricket staff succumbed to a shock eight-wicket loss to neighbours Afghanistan in match no. 22 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. It was Afghanistan’s first win over Pakistan in eight makes an attempt and now Babar Azam’s Pakistan are at risk of failing to make the semifinal stage of the match.
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed the Pakistan staff administration after their shock loss in an Exclusive interplay with Zee News. Akhtar praised the Afghanistan back-room workers which incorporates former India captain Ajay Jadeja as mentor and former England batter Jonathan Trott as head coach.
“If you look at strike-rate of (Rahmanullah) Gurbaz, he was striking at 120-plus. Our whole team no one has strike-rate of above 90. Do you have any answer for that? I am trying to find answer to that,” Shoaib Akhtar informed Zee News, blasting the Pakistan staff on Monday evening.
Afghanistan have roped in Jadeja, who led India in ODI matches up to now, as mentor for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Jadeja has mixed with Trott to assist Afghanistan stun defending champions England earlier within the match. Afghanistan, who solely had one win in ODI World Cup earlier than 2023 version over Scotland, have now doubled their win tally in India.
“Ajay Jadeja was one of the shrewdest player in Indian team with England’s Jonathan Trott. You have management like that teaching Afghanistan’s Pathans. Afghanistan have deserved this win, today their ‘jazba’ and sensible and clinical approach have won. Afghans taught Pakistan how to bat today,” Akhtar mentioned.
The 48-year-old pacer couldn’t even recall Pakistan staff’s bowling coach’s identify – former South African pacer Morne Morkel. “It’s a reflection of our choices. It’s reflection of the nation, the choice that you have bought up. Mickey Arthur and Morne Morkel are the people they have picked. To lead the country you have this option (Babar Azam), to open the batting you have this (Imam-ul-Haq),” Akhtar added.
“Yes, it is Pakistan’s most embarrassing defeat in this tournament. But I was afraid about it, I have shared this with you earlier as well. Afghanistan’s team was not a run-over side; they were at par with Pakistan. Perhaps they were the better team today as they won the match. I have run out of words to say about this game,” the previous Pakistan pacer added.
