'Totally embarrassing for Pakistan to be just one place above Afghanistan', feels Wasim Akram

Disillusioned with Pakistan languishing at number nine in the ODI rankings, former skipper Wasim Akram has called for more money to be invested into their domestic cricket as well as the diet of first-class players to be monitored.

In an interview with PakPassion.net, the 50-year old admitted to being ‘embarassed’ to be ranked just one place above newcomers Afghanistan whilst also expressing anguish at the prospect of Pakistan missing out on direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup.

According to the regulations, the top seven teams in the ICC ODI rankings as well as hosts England qualify directly for the tournament. With the cut-off date being 30 September 2017, Pakistan who are currently ranked ninth face a stiff task to break into the top eight. Meanwhile, Afghanistan appeared in a World Cup for the first time in 2015 and are at tenth with 37 points separating them from their neighbors.

Wasim rued, “It’s totally embarrassing that we are now just one place above Afghanistan and it looks like for the first time in our history we will have to play in the qualifiers for the next World Cup. We are not getting the basics right in our ODI cricket and obvious things like the batting order are being messed up. We need to give our players an opportunity and really invest in them.“

He added, “What is needed to get things running properly in Pakistan cricket is for a former player to be running things. At the moment, Pakistan cricket is in a state of shambles with no continuity and no planning and constant changes to the system. PCB makes a lot of money from international cricket and Pakistan Super League. A guaranteed percentage of those profits should be invested in domestic cricket instead of letting it rot.”

In sharp contrast, Pakistan find themselves at the top of the Test rankings under Misbah ul Haq’s captaincy. It was evident in their recently completed tour of England wherein they followed up a laudable 2-2 draw in the Test series with a 1-4 loss in the ODIs.

With modern-day limited-overs cricket skewed towards power hitting and intense running between the wickets, the Pakistanis have struggled to adjust to the evolution and their fitness has come under the scanner.

Wasim questioned, “How can we expect our cricketers to become world-beaters when even their dietary requirements are being ignored and they are given biryani for lunch in domestic matches.”