Pakistan‘s poor display in the Champions Trophy 2025 continued with a one-sided defeat to arch-rivals India in Dubai on Sunday. Then on Monday, New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi shut the semifinal doors on Mohammad Rizwan-led hosts as well.
Pakistan started their campaign with a big 60-run loss to New Zealand and then were outclassed by India across departments next. Their performance has drawn severe criticism from a host of former players with the legendary Wasim Akram terming the latest setback as the tipping point, demanding drastic steps to revitalise their dipping fortunes in white-ball cricket.
“Drastic steps (required). Enough is Enough,” Akram said on Sports Central. “We’ve been losing in white-ball cricket for a couple of years with the same players. The time has come to take a bold step which is to bring in young players. Bring fearless cricketers for white-ball cricket. If you have to make 5-6 changes, go ahead. You may lose for the next six months, keep backing them. Start building a team for the 2026 T20 World Cup right away.”
Akram, one of the greatest fast bowlers t have played the game, pointed out an concerning stat from Pakistan’s recent performances in ODIs to back his suggestion.
“Enough is enough. We’ve given chances, made stars. Pakistan bowlers have taken 24 wickets combined in five matches at an average of 60. 60 runs per wicket in the last five games. A shocking stat. Among the 14 teams including Oman and USA who have played ODI cricket this year, Pakistan’s bowling average is the second worst,” Akram said.
Akram then pointed fingers at the quality of players Pakistan picked for the marquee ICC events, calling for a team review.
“PCB chairman should hold a meeting with the selection committee alongside the captain, coach and take advantage of the five legends they’ve kept. Ask them, what selections have you made? Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha – did they look like being capable of dismissing Indian batters like Virat Kohli? I’m sorry, facts have to be told,” he said.
“We were yelling that this squad doesn’t seem right, chairman even told them (selectors) a day before the tournament to make changes if needed. These guys stuck to the same squad despite another meeting,” he said.
“Captain is also guilty of this. Captain is the leader of the ship. If captain doesn’t know the matchwinner needed in our own conditions, it’s embarrassing. By the 15th-18th over (of the Indian innings), the Pakistan fans had left (the venue). I’ve never seen this in the history of Pakistan. This is unfortunate,” he added.
