Pakistan suffered a disappointing defeat against India in the ICC Champions Trophy match held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. This loss marked Pakistan’s second consecutive defeat in the tournament, following their earlier setback against New Zealand.
Shoaib Akhtar Criticizes Team Selection and Strategy
Following the defeat, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar took to his social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to share his frustration over the team’s performance. In a video message, Akhtar criticized the team management for poor selection and lack of strategic planning.
He expressed his disappointment, stating:
“I am not surprised because I already knew what would happen when you fail to select a fifth bowler. The world is playing with six bowlers, and you couldn’t even pick five. You took two all-rounders, but I don’t understand what you were thinking.”
The former speedster did not hold back, calling out the team management for what he described as an “illogical and thoughtless approach.”
“This is sheer mindless and reckless management, and I am deeply disheartened. What can we even say about the players? The management is like this, so the players are following the same approach. They are completely clueless about their actions..”
Lack of Intent and Skill Among Players
Shoaib Akhtar further criticized the players for their lack of intent and skillset, suggesting that they are not at the level of top Indian batters like Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill.
“Intent is one thing, but they don’t even understand their own skill set. In fact, they don’t even have the necessary skills. Do you think they can play big shots like Virat or Shubman? It’s really disappointing. Neither the players nor the management have a clear strategy. They just went there to play without a plan.”
Virat Kohli’s Match-Winning Performance
While Pakistan struggled with form, Virat Kohli showcased his brilliance once again, playing an unbeaten century-winning innings to secure India’s victory. His exceptional batting display proved to be the defining moment of the match.
Praising Kohli’s incredible performance, Shoaib Akhtar stated:
“Salute to Virat Kohli! He is a superstar, a run-chaser in white-ball cricket, and one of the greatest modern-day batters. There is no doubt about his class, and I am really happy for him. He is an honest cricketer and has now completed 14,000 runs. He has achieved everything and truly deserves all the appreciation.”
Pakistan’s Struggles in the Tournament
Pakistan’s loss to India was their second consecutive defeat in the Champions Trophy. Earlier, they had lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in their opening match in Karachi.
With back-to-back defeats, Pakistan’s chances in the tournament have taken a serious hit, raising questions about team management, selection policies, and player performances. The road ahead looks tough for the Men in Green, and they will need a significant turnaround to stay in contention.
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