Shoaib Akhtar criticized Pakistan’s cricket management after the team’s defeat against India, claiming that “abnormal” captaincy leads to poor performance. He emphasized that he expected the loss due to bad tactics and expressed disappointment in the players’ skills and management decisions.
Former Pakistani cricket player Shoaib Akhtar was obviously unhappy with his team’s six-wicket loss to their fierce rivals, India, in Dubai. Following the match, Akhtar said he knew this result was coming because of the management’s selection decisions and the incompetence of the current Pakistani squad.
Shoaib Akhtar said in a X post
“People are saying that I am very disappointed. I am not disappointed at all. The reason is that I already knew this was going to happen. The world is playing with six bowlers, and you can’t even manage five. You go with all-rounders—I don’t know what you are thinking.”
Former Pakistani pacer added.
“Just a brainless, clueless management. I am really disappointed. Now, what do we say to the players? The way the management is, the players are the same. They have no clue what needs to be done. Intent is one thing, but they don’t even have the skill set. They will play uppish shots like Rohit, Virat, or Shubman—hitting the ball in the air. Really disappointed. I think neither the players know anything nor does the management. They just went there to play without any clue about what needs to be done.”
Akhtar stated while speaking on a Pakistani TV channel after the loss,
“If I wasn’t getting paid, I wouldn’t even be sitting here or talking. I would not even wish to talk about Pakistan cricket if I wasn’t being paid. Honestly, I have nothing to do with cricket. I was requested to come and sit here, so I show up. I am saying this live on TV. I have no agenda to talk about them. Why would I waste my time?
Akhtar also added,
“I have been on TV since 2011, trust me, I have said it all. I have been watching cricket for the country since 2001. If you make abnormal people captains and allow strange people to come in, this is what will happen.”
Mohammed Rizwan’s team was bowled out for 242 runs at the Dubai International Stadium after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Although Pakistan has never been good at batting, their bowling lacked the edge and zip that the Men in Green have come to be known for. With the probable exception of spinner Abrar Ahmed, no Pakistani bowler was able to pose a threat to the Indian batters as India easily won by six wickets in Dubai. With his 51st century off just 111 balls, Virat Kohli spearheaded the attack against the fiercest rivals.
