Ex-Pakistan Pacer Disappointed After Defeat vs New Zealand; Drops Verdict For India Clash In Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan’s former pacer, Shoaib Akhtar, has displayed his frustration with the national side’s defeat in the opening encounter of the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi, as he fears the national side’s early elimination from the ICC event.

The home side is hosting their first ICC event in nearly three decades, but they continued their poor batting performance from the tri-series against the Blackcaps and South Africa, where they lost the final against the Mitchell Santer-led side.

Pakistan lacks control in the 321-run chase

The Mohammad Rizwan-led side marked an excellent beginning with three quick wickets with the new ball. Naseem Shah asked a few crucial questions to the opponent batters besides collecting the vital wicket of Kane Williamson. But twin centuries from opener Will Young and wicket-keeper batter Tom Latham pushed New Zealand over the 300-run mark.

Also Read: Ex-Australia Captain Mulls Over Star Batter’s New Role In Champions Trophy 2025

Glenn Phillips also smashed an aggressive knock of 61 runs in just 39 deliveries at a strike rate of nearly 160. Pakistan was never in the high-scoring chase, as they lost their first three wickets for just 69 runs on the board in 20.5 overs.

Babar Azam played a slow knock of just 64 runs in 90 deliveries at a strike rate of 71 before Salman Ali Agha cracked a few big shots for his 42 runs in 28 deliveries at a strike rate of 150. Khusdil Shah nailed 69 runs in just 49 deliveries at a strike rate of over 140, but that was not enough for them to get saved from the 60-run defeat.

Shoaib Akhtar blames Pakistan’s lack of impact players in the playing eleven

Shoaib Akhtar has criticized the side’s poor performance in the tournament opener, as he reckoned that there were no impact players in the playing eleven, of the side. He also believed that they had been playing a different brand of the game in comparison to what the rest of the world was playing.

“You all saw the match; you would be disappointed, just like me. Pakistan is playing completely different cricket compared to what the rest of the world is doing. There are no impact players, strike rate is very slow. They don’t even play run-a-ball.” Akhtar expressed this in a video on his YouTube channel.

“We leak a lot of runs. They are playing with just four bowlers, while the rest of the sides play with at least 6-7 bowlers. It is a disappointing start.” He added.

Fakhar Zaman batted at number four in the chase because of stayed a lot of time outside the field due to the muscular chest pain that he had picked while fielding at the start of the game.

Shoaib Akhtar gives huge prediction for Pakistan’s do-or-die clash vs India

Pakistan now finds themselves in a do-or-die situation, including a high-stakes clash against India, as their campaign is already in deep trouble.

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah’s Fitness Status Leaked By Wife Sanjana Ganesan Before IPL 2025

“Pakistan is now in a do-or-die situation against India. The Indian team is very strong and looks difficult. I still wish them the best of luck. They should go on the offensive and try to win the contest. You have no option but to play very aggressively. But not like this. Wish them the best of luck, but looks very difficult now.” Akhtar highlighted.

Unlike Pakistan, India started well during their opening clash against Bangladesh in Dubai, and a victory in this encounter will give them so much confidence before the mouth-watering affair.