Wasim Akram Slams Pakistan Team After Loss To India; Demands Immediate Changes For Next ICC Event

Wasim Akram has called for drastic changes in the Pakistan team after their embarrassing 6-wicket loss to India in the recent ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match in Dubai on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

Pakistan had batted first in the game against India in Dubai after Mohammad Rizwan won the toss. Babar Azam looked good in the middle, hitting his trademark cover drives and scoring 23 runs in quick time with 5 fours.

However, Hardik Pandya trapped Babar in playing the same shot and he was caught behind by KL Rahul. While Saud Shakeel scored 62 and Mohammad Rizwan made 46 runs, and Khushdil Shah made 38 runs; Pakistan used up too many dot balls and didn’t get going in the death overs as scored just 241 runs.

“Enough is enough”- Wasim Akram asks for wholesale changes

As Pakistan is already on the verge of being eliminated from the current ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the legendary fast bowler voiced his frustration with outmoded tactics and subpar performances and urged the selectors to start rebuilding for the 2026 T20 World Cup by bringing in bold young talent.

“Enough is enough. We have been playing archaic cricket in white-ball for ages. We have lost by wide balls over the last couple of years. Now it is time to take bold steps. What would that be? Bring fearless cricketers, young blood, into the white-ball format. If you have to make five or six changes, please do so. You keep losing for the next six months. It's fine, but start building a team for the 2026 T20 World Cup from now onwards,” Wasim Akram said on Sports Central.

The former captain of Pakistan blasted the PCB and the selectors for elevating the underachievers to the status of stars and providing them with several opportunities despite the overwhelming results.

Although they have taken 24 wickets at an average of 60 in the last five ODIs, he pointed out that Pakistani bowlers have struggled to take wickets efficiently. In other words, the bowlers gave up 60 runs for every wicket. Out of 14 international teams, including the USA and Oman, Pakistan now has the second-lowest bowling average.

Wasim Akram slams Mohammad Rizwan's leadership

Since Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha were never seen among the wickets, Akram also criticized their selection. The renowned cricketer also held Mohammad Rizwan accountable for the Men in Green's dismal showing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is now underway.

According to Wasim Akram, the team would continue to become more embarrassed if he is unable to identify the winners of matches.

“I have been literally shouting for weeks that this squad is not good, but the chairman said they have assembled the best squad. A day before the Champions Trophy, they had a meeting for an hour, but they came out with the same squad. Even the captain (Rizwan) is to blame. He is the leader of the ship and if he doesn’t know what kind of match-winner he needs. It’s getting embarrassing now,” he added.

No more humiliation required

Akram said that because they were unable to see Pakistan cricket's humiliation on the field during the current famous competition, many supporters left the stadium early, expressing their dissatisfaction at an all-time high.

“You should have seen the faces of Pakistan fans who were at the stadium. They left the venue after 15 overs when Pakistan was bowling against India. I have never seen anything like that in my life. It’s unfortunate. We, as a nation, are very passionate. But it’s frustrating,” Akram signed off.

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