(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar criticized Babar Azam and his team for their first-ever loss to Afghanistan in the ODI format, which came on Monday at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium during the 22nd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Afghanistan beat Pakistan by eight wickets with six balls remaining in the innings, successfully chasing down the target of 283 runs. Pakistan displayed a below-par batting performance with only Abdullah Shafique and Babar managing to score fifty, but both failed to convert it into a big innings. Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan contributed with their 40-plus knocks to help Pakistan reach a respectable total.
Afghanistan bossed the run-chase as their top three batters scored half-centuries, which played a crucial role in them defeating Pakistan for the first time ever in ODIs. This was Pakistan’s first-ever defeat while defending a total of 275-plus runs in the ODI World Cup history.
Akhtar lambasted Babar for his team selection and advised him to bring back Fakhar Zaman and go all out in the upcoming matches as Pakistan now needs to win all their remaining games with good margin to qualify for the semis. He further suggested that Babar should play aggressively while batting. Notably, the Pakistan skipper scored 74 runs against Afghanistan with a strike rate of 80.43.
“If he (Babar Azam) is watching my videos, okay the system is messed up… leave it. Play right people. Bring Fakhar back, and give him the license to attack. Bring Zaman, and look for other options. Play aggressively. Babar should also bat with a strike rate of 120. Pakistan is batting with a strike rate of 80 and 90. Gurbaz was playing at 122. Pakistan plays 150 dot balls in every match. We are scared,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
He continued to criticize the Men in Green, stating that there is no one in the side who can inspire the young generation. He further expressed his support for Babar, hoping that Pakistan win their remaining fixtures in the ongoing World Cup.
“Tell me one thing if this team has one inspiring cricketer. I have seen the likes of Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Steve Waugh, Allan Border, and Viv Richards. Which cricketer in this Pakistan team is inspiring enough for kids to pick up the sport? Why do people still watch our videos? We were inspiring the generation,” he added.
“I have played for Pakistan, my heart bleeds. I will keep supporting Pakistan. Had I been with Babar now I would have told him to step up as captain. This is the worst, which has happened. Now we are playing four teams and let’s win them all,” Akhtar concluded.