PAK vs CAN: Wasim Akram launches brutal attack; calls for overhaul after Pakistan's loss to India, blasts Rizwan, Fakhar, Iftikhar

Legendary pacer Wasim Akram has slammed Pakistan's senior cricketers for their lack of "game awareness" following their loss to Team India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Wasim Akram criticized Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Fakhar Zaman for their poor decision-making during the match.

The Babar Azam-led team suffered a narrow six-run loss against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9. The Men in Green failed to chase down the 120-run target against their archrivals. It marked their second consecutive defeat in the ongoing World Cup.

Pakistan's chances of reaching the Super 8 stage are slim after their two losses in the World Cup. The Pakistan team has zero points and two group-stage matches remaining. They must win their remaining matches and rely on outcomes in other Group A games to advance to the next stage of the World Cup.

Mohammad Rizwan Has No Game Awareness - Wasim Akram

Speaking on Star Sports, Wasim Akram expressed disappointment over the Pakistan team's recent loss. The former Pakistan captain mentioned that Mohammad Rizwan should have played with a cautious approach against Jasprit Bumrah instead of going for a big shot and losing his wicket.

“They have been playing cricket for 10 years, and I can’t teach them. Rizwan has no game awareness,” Akram told Star Sports.

“He should have known that Bumrah was given the ball to take wickets and that the wise thing would have been to play his deliveries cautiously. But Rizwan went for a big shot and lost his wicket,” he added.

Pakistan scored 80 runs for the loss of three wickets in 14 overs. Mohammad Rizwan attempted to target Jasprit Bumrah on the first ball of the fifteenth over. Rizwan was bowled after scoring 31 runs off 44 deliveries. Rizwan's wicket turned the game in India's favor, as Pakistan suffered a collapse in the chase.

Doesn't Know How To Bat - Wasim Akram

The 58-year-old pointed out batters Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed as examples of players who haven't shown progress despite being on the team for years. Wasim Akram suggested a need for a complete overhaul of the team rather than just replacing the coaches.

“Iftikhar Ahmed knows one shot on the leg side. He has been a part of the team for years but doesn’t know how to bat,” Akram further stated.

“I can’t go and tell about the game awareness to Fakhar Zaman. Pakistani players think that if they don’t perform well, the coaches will be sacked, and nothing will happen to them. It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team.”

Fakhar Zaman showed promise with a six off the second ball he faced. However, he was dismissed by Hardik Pandya when Pakistan seemed in control. Zaman departed after scoring 13 runs off eight balls, with one four and one six. Iftikhar Ahmed also failed to deliver and got out for just five runs from nine balls.

Also read: "Pakistan was lucky that Jasprit Bumrah didn’t"- Former Pakistan all-rounder slams Babar Azam's team