Wasim Akram slammed the performance by Pakistan in their shock loss to USA and claimed that Babar Azam and his men will struggle to reach the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday, June 7. Pakistan had to suffer a humbling defeat at the hands of the hosts in Dallas, as they were outclassed in all departments of the game. The match on Thursday was marred by instances of inconsistency with bat, ball and on the field.
Akram labelled the performance ‘pathetic’ and claimed that he along with the Pakistan team fans were confident they would win. The bowling legend would then praise USA’s performance and for getting 19 runs in the Super Over. Akram feels Pakistan could struggle to get to the next round as they have to play India and two other good teams.
“Pathetic performance. They were playing against USA. I was confident, Pakistani fans were confident that they will win. Credit to the way USA played their cricket. The first innings, the second innings, when they came out to chase and of course, the Super Over.”
“19 runs is like 36 runs in an over in Super Overs. So well done USA. Pakistan will struggle from here onwards to qualify for the Super 8s because they have to play India and two other good teams,” said Akram.
Akram felt that the turning point of the game was when USA got the early wickets. The Pakistan legend felt that the cricket from Babar and his men were very average on the day and urged them to show some fight.
“I think the turning point of the game, the way they got early wickets. Pakistan they had one little partnership between Shadab and Babar and nobody looked comfortable after that. The fielding was average. The overall cricket was very average. Winning and losing is part of it, we all know. But, till the last ball, show some fight, put some dives. Catches are getting dropped, they’re not getting any wickets. It was a bad day for Pakistan,” said Akram.
Pakistan will now head to New York to take on India in a mouth-watering clash on June 9.
