Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has openly criticized the continuously woeful performances from Shahid Afridi’s team. DNA India reported the enigmatic cricketer also claiming that he had warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about the fragile system which could lead to a rapid slide.
But, PCB did not pay heed to his words. Akhtar said, “This downslide didn't happen overnight it started happening few years ago and I kept on warning a day will come when we will even find it hard to beat Bangladesh. No one listened including the board.”
Nicknamed the ‘Rawalpindi Express’, Shoaib was renowned for his blistering pace and uninhibited approach to the game. He hoped, “What can one say I can only hope now that sensible decisions are taken now and those people brought in to serve Pakistan cricket who don't care about their salaries, fees and perks but about Pakistan.”
The 40-year old lambasted the hierarchy surrounding Pakistani cricket and wanted a major overhaul. Akhtar added, “What is tragic is that over the years people given key positions in Pakistan cricket and the team have only worried about how much they are earning not about the system or performances.”
Veteran batsman Javed Miandad slammed head coach Waqar Younis for his outspoken comments regarding his players. Following their loss against New Zealand on Tuesday, Pakistan were left at the brink of elimination and Waqar came out with an unexpected statement.
Already under immense criticism for his bizarre tactics, Waqar had quipped, “We can cry as much as we want but the fact is we are simply not good enough. We don't deserve to go through to the next stage based upon the quality of our cricket at the moment.”
Widely regarded as Pakistan’s greatest ever batsman, Miandad lamented, “Where is the pride and passion in this team to do well? I don't see it. The selectors, captain and coach have all made repeated blunders and now they are complaining. It is a joke.”
Noting that the experienced Mohammad Hafeez could have played despite his injury, batting stalwart Mohammad Yousuf felt, “I don't see any reason for Hafeez not playing in such a crucial match. Even if he had some injury he could have taken injections and played. It was a must win match and in the past our players have played with injuries.”
Pakistan have a very slim chance of still reaching the semi-finals due to their healthy run-rate. However, they need to depend on other results to go their way and defeat Australia too. Cricketer-turned-commentator Rameez Raja downplayed the possibility by asserting, “Neither can we take the right strategic decisions nor can we bat well. And we expect to win.”
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