'There's nothing else there': Wasim Akram points at deeper issues in Pakistan cricket, predicts 3-0 loss

Pakistan’s legendary cricketer Wasim Akram has revealed he knew Pakistan would not win a single Test on England tour before the series started. Akram believes Pakistan are lacking in all departments of the game.

“I knew before the series we were going to lose 3-0 to England,” Akram is quoted as saying by The Athletic.

“Our batting is struggling, our bowling is below average and our fielding is worse. It’s not rocket science.”

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Pakistan have not won a single Test series on England soil since 1996. When Akram was part of the side, Pakistan won three consecutive Test series in England.

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After the Lord’s defeat, Pakistan made seven changes to Test squad, called up five rookies and sacked two members of the coaching staff as well. Akram pointed at the current situation of Pakistan cricket, saying there are no other players left in the setup and the issues behind underwhelming performances run much deeper.

“I get asked all the time, ‘Can you do something to help Pakistan cricket?’ But the issues are a lot deeper. These are the top players, there’s nothing else there.

“The systems aren’t there below that. The first-class structure domestically has been all over the place the last few years and there’s no consistency, no patience.”

Akram also lashed out at Pakistan cricket fans who expect quick-fix results. He says the chopping and changing has been done to an extent that there is nothing left. 

Pakistan 133 all out in 1st innings of 3rd Test

A day after Akram’s interview, Pakistan handed debut cap to three youngsters. In the third and final Test of the series at Edgbaston, Birmingham, England were bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs as trio of Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer ripped through their lineup.

Babar didn’t know about 7 changes too

On the eve of the Edgbaston Test, skipper Babar Azam was asked whether he was involved in the discussions to make seven changes to the squad midway through the series. Babar revealed that he learned about the major overhaul including the sacking of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul like a commoner.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are already out of contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final. It will take a herculean effort from their batting lineup to make a comeback in the Edgbaston Test and return home with a win, proving Akram wrong.