Following Pakistan's eight-wicket defeat to Afghanistan in the World Cup 2023 match at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, former speedster Shoaib Akhtar didn't hold back in his criticism.
Akhtar, renowned as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, warned Pakistan of further disappointments if they continue to allow mediocrity in their cricketing decisions. He remarked, "Keep bringing mediocre and average people. People have made a joke of brand building. It's about building an institution that builds a brand. Now what do I say in this long debate?"
He further elaborated on the state of Pakistan cricket, stating, "The position Pakistan cricket has reached and where the cricket team is today is a direct reflection of the choices they have made in the last 20-30 years. Keep on bringing the same people, keep on making the same mistakes and you will get the same kind of results."
In the match, after choosing to bat, Pakistan posted a total of 282/7, with captain Babar Azam being the top scorer with 74 runs. Afghanistan's response was formidable, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmat Shah scoring 65, 87, and an unbeaten 77 respectively, ensuring their team's victory.
The loss has put Pakistan in a challenging position in the tournament standings, with four points and a net run rate of -0.400. Yet, Babar remains optimistic, asserting, “You never know. It's cricket. Anything can happen. We will try to play our best cricket till the end. There are a lot of matches left, we will try to win all the matches. We will try to overcome our mistakes.”
This marks Pakistan's third consecutive defeat in the World Cup, making their path to the semifinals uncertain. Conversely, Afghanistan's win has elevated their tournament aspirations. The upcoming matches are pivotal, as Pakistan squares off against South Africa, while Afghanistan faces Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.
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