'Does This Team Have Even One Inspiring Cricketer?': Pace Legend's Brutal Take on Pakistan's Loss to AFG

All hell broke loose on Monday night when Pakistan succumbed to a first-ever defeat against Afghanistan in ODIs. The Chennai crowd saw the Afghans registering their second win at the ICC World Cup 2023 as they successfully chased down the 283-run target with 8 wickets to spare. On the other hand, it was the third straight defeat for Pakistan in the ongoing tournament that has put their chances of a top-four finish in jeopardy.

The defeat has not only sinned the Pakistan camp in the World Cup but also the cricket fraternity back home. Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar has made stern remarks about the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“You can’t say much after watching this performance. Please put the right man in the right place for god sake. Anyone is becoming chairman, for how long will we keep supporting mediocrity? You will keep putting the average people at the helm, you will keep receiving such average performances,” Shoaib said on his YouTube channel.

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“This is the true reflection of the PCB what is being shown now on the television today. This is the direct impact of the choices you have made for the past 20-30 years in cricket. This is the end result, you are getting,” he added.

Akhtar further commented that the current team doesn’t have a single player who can inspire the people of Pakistan. He also suggested that captain Babar Babar should step up as the captain and win the rest of the games.

“Tell me one thing if this team has one inspiring cricketer. I have seen the likes of Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Steve Waugh, Allan Border, and Viv Richards. Which cricketer in the Pakistan team is inspiring enough for kids to pick up the sport?

“Why do people still watch our videos? We were inspiring the generation,” he said.

“I have played for Pakistan, my heart bleeds. I will keep supporting Pakistan. Had I been with Babar now I would have told him to step up as captain. This is the worst, which has happened. Now we are playing four teams and let’s win them all,” he added.

Before signing off, Akhtar requested Pakistan to show aggressiveness on the field and the skipper to play at a strike-rate of more than 100.

“If he is watching my videos, okay the system is messed up… leave it. Play right people. Bring Fakhar back, and give him the license to attack. Bring Zaman, and look for other options. Play aggressively. Babar should also bat with a strike rate of 120. Pakistan is batting with a strike rate of 80 and 90. Gurbaz was playing at 122. Pakistan plays 150 dot balls in every match. We are scared,” Akhtar said.