DALLAS: Legendary pacer Wasim Akram termed Pakistan’s performance “pathetic” as they succumbed to a shock loss in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign opener against the United States of America (USA) on Thursday.
Akram, while speaking to an Indian channel, did not mince his words in criticising the national team’s performance before praising the associate nation for playing well in tense situations.
“Pathetic performance. They were playing against the USA. I was confident, that Pakistani supporters were confident that they would win but credit to the USA for the way they played their cricket,” stated Akram.
“The first innings, the second innings when they came out to chase and then of course the Super Over. I mean 19 runs in Super Overs is like getting 36 runs in an over. So well done USA,” he added.
Akram also predicted that the Babar Azam-led Pakistan would struggle to qualify for the Super 8s, given the current situation of Group A.
“Pakistan will struggle from here onwards to qualify for the Super 8s because they have to play India and two other good teams too.”
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Wasim Akram also highlighted the turning point of the match before pointing out the errors, the national team made.
“I think turning point of the game… was the way they got early wickets. They had one little partnership between Shadab and Babar and then nobody looked comfortable. The fielding was average, overall cricket was very average by Pakistan.
“Winning and losing is a part of it, we all know it but till the last ball, show some fight, put some dives. Catches are being dropped, wickets are tough to get. So yeah, it was a bad day for Pakistan I suppose,” Akram concluded.
Former champions Pakistan had a disastrous start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign as they endured a shock loss against the USA in the Super Over as they failed to chase down the 19-run target.
Senior pacer Mohammad Amir bowled the Super Over for Pakistan and conceded 18 runs. In response, the Green Shirts only managed 13/1.
READ: Former cricketers lash out at Pakistan after shock loss against USA