Shoaib Akhtar slams Pakistan after humiliating series defeat against Bangladesh
Shoaib Akhtar
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar didn’t mince his words following Pakistan’s loss to Bangladesh in the second T20I on Tuesday.
Appearing on a local sports program, Akhtar expressed his deep frustration with the current state of Pakistan cricket, stating that the team may need a full rebuild—a process he sarcastically suggested could take up to two decades.
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He criticized the lack of strategic planning and player development within the team, saying, “This team needs rebuilding, and even if it takes 20 years, that’s fine. There’s no issue with that.”
A major part of Akhtar’s criticism was directed at the team management’s indecisiveness regarding the selection of the playing XI, as well as the poor performances of several players whom he believes lack the fundamental skills required for international cricket.
“You don’t even know your playing XI. These players aren’t skilled enough. Saim didn’t perform, Fakhar didn’t perform. On these kinds of pitches, their style of play simply doesn’t work,” Akhtar remarked.
The 49-year-old also pointed out how Pakistan’s current players struggle on difficult pitches due to their dependence on power hitting, rather than technique and timing.
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“These are tough wickets. These guys are power hitters; they’re not players who rely on timing. On such surfaces, the ball doesn’t come nicely onto the bat, the pace isn’t the same, and you won’t get a good bounce off the pitch,” he explained.
In closing, Akhtar stressed the value of adaptability and cited examples of legendary cricketers who succeeded on challenging pitches due to their ability to adjust their game.
“Adapting to difficult conditions is what makes a player great. Legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ijaz Ahmed and Zaheer Abbas all scored runs in similar conditions,” he concluded.
