Kamran Akmal, a renowned Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman, criticised Babar Azam and company for his awful performance in the Asia Cup Super Four stage match against India. In a match that was hampered by rain at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, the Men in Green were outscored by their arch-rivals by 228 runs.
India scored 356 runs while batting first, due to centuries from KL Rahul and Virat Kohli. Prior to their century, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma put together an incredible 121-run partnership for the first wicket. Later, as the Men in Blue defeated Pakistan for 128 in 32 overs, Kuldeep Yadav (5/25) led India’s bowling attack.
Kamran Akmal claimed that if Babar Azam and company keep playing like this, they will find it difficult to defeat the Netherlands at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India. The 41-year-old criticised the hitters as well as Pakistan’s decision to bat first after winning the toss.
“With this strategy, you will find it difficult to even defeat the Netherlands if you want to participate in the Asia Cup final and have a strong World Cup performance. What are they doing, management? who gave you the order to bowl? Tell the players to at least remain in the crease. Your run rate has significantly declined. Against Bangladesh, you pursued 190+ runs in 40+ overs, Akmal noted on his official YouTube page.
played like a team without experience: Kamran Akmal
He also maintained that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must investigate Pakistan’s performance and that the players should have been proactive in being instructed to play for net run rate (NRR). Pakistan was performing like an inexperienced squad, he said, likening them to schoolboys.
Send me a message. How Shadab, Iftikhar, and Salman exited. You had to instruct them to bat through all of their overs and bring the score to at least 260–280. They are aware that the PCB won’t grill them. There is no strategy or game plan. Everyone has left for their vacation. I’m sorry to say that you played like schoolboys in front of a top squad,” he continued.
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