Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has strongly criticized Pakistan’s performance in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against India. According to him, Pakistan’s bowling attack was so weak that even a total of 200 runs on the board would not have been enough to defend. Speaking on PTV Sports after the match, Akhtar called the defeat a “one-sided affair” and expressed disappointment over both bowling tactics and execution.
Questioning the Bowling Strategy
Akhtar was puzzled by the team’s bowling approach. He highlighted that part-time spinner Saim Ayub was introduced before frontline bowler Abrar Ahmed, which, in his view, made little sense.
“Why bring in a part-time bowler before your main spinner?” he asked. “If Faheem Ashraf was going to bowl, he should have been given the new ball instead of Saim. That move could have worked better.”
Poor Execution by the Bowlers
The former pacer pulled no punches when analyzing the bowling performance. He said Pakistan’s bowlers looked toothless and lacked the skill to trouble India’s batting order.
“Even with 200 runs, this bowling lineup wasn’t capable of defending. The attack was below par,” Akhtar stated.
He singled out Haris Rauf, pointing out that he failed to claim a single wicket. “Most of the Indian dismissals were due to their own mistakes, not because of good bowling. For instance, Suryakumar Yadav got out playing a poor shot; otherwise, the game would have ended even earlier,” Akhtar added.
Abhishek Sharma and India’s Depth
Akhtar noted that opener Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal was the only reason the game extended into the 19th over. “If Sharma had stayed at the crease for a bit longer, India would have wrapped up the match five overs earlier,” he said.
He also warned that India was not even playing with their strongest lineup. “This team doesn’t have KL Rahul, who is known for dismantling bowlers. If he had been there instead of Sanju Samson, the contest would have ended much sooner. Samson was India’s only weak link, which is why the game stretched to the 19th over,” Akhtar explained.
Controversy Over Fakhar Zaman’s Dismissal
One of the biggest talking points for Akhtar was the dismissal of Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman. The third umpire’s decision to give him out left the former fast bowler fuming.
“Fakhar was not out. The benefit of the doubt should have gone to the batter,” Akhtar said.
He also criticized the television replay system. “With 26 cameras in the stadium, why was there no clear angle? One replay suggested the ball touched the ground, yet the decision still went against Fakhar. If Fakhar had continued batting, the match could have been different,” he argued.
Doubts Over Umpiring Standards
Akhtar expressed disappointment with the standard of umpiring in high-profile matches. “The quality of third umpiring wasn’t good enough. In such situations, there should be complete clarity on whether the ball touched the ground or not. The replays looked inconsistent,” he said.
Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agh, also shared similar concerns after the match, saying the team felt the ball had touched the ground but ultimately accepted the umpire’s decision.
Final Thoughts
Shoaib Akhtar’s strong words reflect the frustration of Pakistan fans after yet another disappointing loss to India in a major tournament. His criticism not only highlighted the team’s weak bowling attack but also raised questions about tactical decisions and umpiring standards.
With Pakistan’s Asia Cup hopes hanging by a thread, the team will need a major turnaround if they want to bounce back in the tournament.