IND vs PAK: Pakistan's Super 8 qualification in jeopardy, claims Wasim Akram as he blasts 'pathetic' Babar Azam & Co.

Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram feels that Pakistan will not qualify for the Super 8 round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. His words come after Pakistan lost to the USA in their opening game in the ICC event.

Wasim Akram also feels that Pakistan gave a pathetic performance in the match. Batting first, the Asian team piled up 159-7 in 20 overs, thanks to Babar Azam (44) and Shadan Khan (44). The rest of the batters gave a miserable show and failed to cross even 25 runs.

Later, the low total became a big boost for USA batters, who banked upon their top order to pull the chase. They failed to get the last winning run and tied the match. Later, the US stunned Pakistan in the super over with a 19-run target.

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Pakistan will not qualify for Super 8 Round, feels Wasim Akram

Post the match, Pakistan World Cup-winning teammate Wasim Akram criticized the Pakistan team for their pathetic performance in the game.

He was agitated with the fact that his team did not fight till the end and expressed his frustration on Star Sports. Akram also feels that Pakistan will struggle to qualify for the next round of ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

"Pathetic performance. Winning and losing is a part of the game. But you need to fight till the last ball. It was a bad for Pakistan cricket", he said.

"Pakistan will struggle from here onwards to qualify for the Super Eight because they have to play India (on June 9) and two more good teams (Ireland and Canada)," the former left-armer further added.

Notably, India, Pakistan, the USA, Canada, and Ireland are part of Group A in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Only the top two teams in the points table will reach the next round.

Interestingly, the USA can be dubbed as the weakest team in the group as they feature in the World Cup for the first time and have the least international experience.

Interestingly, Wasim Akram has a fair point. Pakistan has lost to the USA and now they will face stronger teams like India, Canada, and Ireland. If they lose more games, they might be ousted from the first round itself.

Moreover, the USA has already defeated Canada and Pakistan and if they win another game, then Pakistan needs to win all of their remaining matches to be able to qualify for the Super 8 round.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Watch - Rinku Singh includes Pakistan and snubs West Indies as he reveals his T20 WC semifinalists

Wasim Akram hails USA for fightback in super over

Wasim Akram also hailed the USA for their fabulous fightback in the super over. Although they failed to get the winning runs in the match, they later slammed an 18-run total in the super over to shatter Pakistan’s hopes of winning the game.

“While playing against USA, I was confident, every Pakistan supporter was confident that they will win after the way they played in the first innings. In the second innings, they (USA) came out to chase...I mean getting 19 runs in the Super Over is like getting 36 runs in a Super Over. Well done USA," Akram said.

“The moment of the day for me was the innings of USA captain Monank Patel, the way he batted...carried his bat. The way he used his suit as in he led from the front. Their fielding was spot-on every time, and very impressive cricket from the USA," the 58-year-old further added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan will now face India in their next match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The El Classico of Asian Cricket takes place on Sunday, June 9 at Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York.