Ex-Test cricketer Kamran Akmal has openly criticized Pakistan’s team selection in the T20 format, expressing strong concerns over the inclusion of Agha Salman, Saim Ayub, and Hussain Talat. Speaking to a private TV channel, Akmal said that these players are not suited for T20 cricket and, if given the authority, he would drop all three from the squad.
“Agha Salman Is Not a T20 Player”
Akmal was particularly vocal about Agha Salman, who has been given leadership responsibilities despite what Akmal describes as an unsuitability for the shortest format of the game. He claimed that Pakistan’s approach looked more like a formality than a serious attempt to compete.
According to him, the decision-making on the field lacked clarity and planning. He noted that even children can calculate what’s required in ten overs, yet the coaching staff and captain seemed to have no clear strategy.
Tactical Errors in Key Matches
Akmal pointed out that Pakistan wasted good starts by failing to make smart batting changes. He argued that when the team had momentum, players like Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz should have been sent up the order instead of out-of-form batters.
He further criticized the team for repeating mistakes across all three matches of the series, including the crucial third game against India. Instead of learning from earlier errors, Pakistan continued to fall into the same traps.
“Like a School Team Playing”
Frustrated with the team’s performance, Akmal compared Pakistan’s display to that of a school-level team fulfilling a formality rather than competing at the highest level. He emphasized that such repeated blunders reflect poorly on both the coaching staff and the captain.
Call for Accountability
Akmal concluded that even if Pakistan manages to win matches, the bigger issue of leadership and coaching decisions cannot be ignored. He stressed that unless immediate action is taken and tough decisions are made, the national team’s overall standard will decline further.
His remarks have sparked debate among fans and analysts, many of whom share his concerns about the direction of Pakistan cricket in the T20 format.
