Former Pakistan all-rounder Wasim Akram slammed the Pakistan cricket team after their humiliating loss in the T20 World Cup 2024 opener clash against co-hosts the United States. Legendary speedster said that apart from Babar Azam and Shadab Khan nobody turned up in batting and the fielding was below average.
The USA scripted their biggest-ever victory in international cricket after defeating Pakistan in their second outing of the marquee event. The USA defeated Pakistan in a Super Over after the scores were tied at 159 runs each in regulation time.
"Pathetic performance. Winning and losing is a part of the game. But you need to fight till the last ball. It was a bad for Pakistan cricket," Akram told Star Sports.
Akram who was part of Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winning team reckons that the turning point of game was giving early wickets to the USA.
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"The turning point of the game...the way USA got early wickets. Pakistan had a little partnership between Babar and Shadab and then nobody turned up. The fielding was below average, the overall cricket by Pakistan was average. While playing against the USA, I was confident, every Pakistan supporter was confident that they will win after the way they played in the first innings" he said.
Akram lavished praise on USA's skipper Monank Patel for his 50 off 38 knock while chasing 159 runs.
"In the second innings, they (USA) came out to chase. Well done USA. The moment of the day for me was the innings of USA captain Monank Patel, the way he batted, carried his bat. The way he used his suit as in he led from the front. Their fielding was spot-on every time, and very impressive cricket from the USA," he added.
Akram also thinks that it would be tough for the Pakistan cricket team to qualify for the Super 8 because they have to face India in thier second clash and after that they will face Canada and Ireland.
"Pakistan will struggle from here onwards to qualify for the Super Eight because they have to play India (on June 9) and two more good teams (Ireland and Canada). I mean getting 19 runs in the Super Over is like getting 36 runs in a Super Over," he concluded.
Pakistan will now face their arch-rivals India for their second match of the tournament which is scheduled to be played on June 9 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
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