Former Pakistan captain and tempo bowling legend Wasim Akram blasted the Pakistan cricket staff after their shock loss to Afghanistan within the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Akram known as the defeat ‘embarrassing’ and known as for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make ‘fitness test’ necessary earlier than choice to the nationwide staff.
Afghanistan posted their first-ever win over Pakistan in ODI cricket in eight makes an attempt and condemned Babar Azam’s aspect to their third successive loss within the World Cup 2023. Pakistan posted 282 after batting first with half-centuries from skipper Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique and helpful contributions from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan. But Afghanistan chased down the goal for the lack of simply 2 wickets with one over to spare.
“It was embarrassing today. They (Afghanistan) chased 280-290 with 8 wickets in hands which is huge. They nullified the pitch factor completely. And just look at the fitness levels of our players,” Akram advised Pakistan sports activities channel ‘A Sports’.
“We have been screaming here for the past three weeks that they haven’t been through fitness tests in the last two years. Now should I name them individually, their faces are getting broader. Lagta hai roz 8 kilo nihari khate hain (Seems like they are eating 8 kilos of meat every day) there should be some test, you are being paid for playing for your country and there has to be a certain criteria,” Akram mentioned.
Legendary pacer @wasimakramlive lashes out on the Pakistan cricket staff following their upset defeat towards Afghanistan.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #ThePavilion #CWC23 #ShoaibMalik #MoinKhan #FakhreAlam #MisbahUlHaq #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/RZSaVDSXIS
— ASports (@asportstvpk) October 23, 2023
Akram highlighted that whereas gamers have been proof against the health protocols established throughout Misbah-ul-Haq’s tenure as head coach, these requirements had a constructive affect on the staff’s elementary efficiency.
“There should be tests. Professionally, you are playing for your country, you are being paid. I am with Misbah. When he was coach, he had that criteria, players hated him. But, it worked for the team. Fielding is all about fitness, and it shows on the field. Now we have come to a stage, where we will pray, do ifs and buts, wait for other teams to lose, then we can reach the semi-finals,” Akram felt.
Speaking on the identical program on ‘A Sports Pakistan’, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan questioned Pakistan’s schedule as deliberate by the PCB.
“There was a complete lack of planning for the World Cup. We played 3 months in Sri Lanka including a Test series and then the Asia Cup in this heat. The players looked completely drained out and lethargic on the field. I don’t know who is advising the board, they obviously haven’t played cricket before,” Moin Khan mentioned.
Babar Azam’s Pakistan will subsequent tackle South Africa on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday whereas Afghanistan will face Sri Lanka on the MCA Stadium in Pune subsequent Monday.
