“Not able to bat the complete overs shows how spineless is the Pakistan batting line-up at the moment,” says the Sultan of swing, Wasim Akram. This strong reaction came from the fast bowler after Pakistan lost their third and final game of the Champions Trophy. Akram slammed the senior cricketers in the team who didn’t do well in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. He made it quite clear that this kind of performance is simply unacceptable and it’s up to individual to take care of their performances as the batsmen and bowlers.
As per the recent reports of The Hindu, he was quoted saying, "What has really concerned me is that we could not play out our full quota of overs in even one match. The batting generally has been spineless and shameful. This is not the way to play in a top tournament. I think it is time changes were made in the team and youngsters were given proper chances to establish themselves. For too long, we have been relying on the same players who have failed us again and again.”
Akram praised Misbah-ul-Haq for batting well under the pressure situations and not leaving his side in the midst. Fast bowling legend was quoted by DNA saying, "I don't see any threat to his future. He was your only batsman to play the way other players should have played. I can say if Misbah had not scored runs on the tour, this team could have even been bowled out for totals of 30 something.”
Akram also raised the questions on Mohammad Hafeez, who was the disappointment with the bat. Hafeez is expected to be the next captain for Pakistan team but Akram believes that he is not matured enough. Akram went onto say, "I don't think Misbah should be changed as captain. Hafeez is just not mature enough or ready for this job. They call him professor and all that but first he must prove himself by being a match winner for Pakistan in the big matches and then consider himself as future captain.”
Meanwhile the reports in Hindustan Times quoted Rameez Raza saying, "I was appalled and sad by the way our batsmen performed. For too long our bowlers have put their hands up and supported the batsmen. Unfortunately there is no balance between the two in our team and that is the major problem," he said.
He added, "We must learn from India. For the first time in my life I was sure this Indian team will beat us. I am sad by the indifferent and irresponsible attitude of some of the players. The time has come for changes and a new team to be rebuilt."
