'Eating 8 kg of mutton every day,' Wasim Akram lashes out at Pakistan after shocking loss to Afghanistan

Wasim Akram, Pakistan's former captain and one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers of all time, lashed out at Babar Azam's team after the former champions lost to Afghanistan in an absolutely sensational match on Monday

 

 

Pakistan suffered their third successive defeat in the tournament as their semi-final hopes took a huge blow. It was also Pakistan's first defeat to Afghanistan in ODI cricket in the 8th meeting between the two sides. This was the second victory of the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team in the ongoing World Cup 2023. Afghanistan had previously won the match against England.

 

Though the batting order did put a good target of 282, it was the bowling department who could dismiss the strong-headed Afghanistan as they went on to win match with still one over to spare and 8 wickets in hand.

 

"It's embarrassing. Just 2 wickets, 280-290 is a big score. The pitch is wet or not wet. Fielding was... you look at the fitness levels. We have been discussing on this show that there has been no fitness test for the last 2 years. If I take the players' individual names, they won't like it. It looks like they are eating 8 kg of mutton every day," Akram told A Sports after Pakistan's 8-wicket defeat.

 

 

Akram also said that the Pakistan players did not like the fitness tests that were place when they were handled by former head coach Misbah-ul-Haq but those tests helped the team do the basics right. "There should be tests. Professionally, you are playing for your country, you are being paid. I am with Misbah. When he was coach, he had that criteria, players hated him. But, it worked for the team. Fielding is all about fitness, and it shows on the field.

 

"Now we have come to a stage, where we will pray, do ifs and buts, wait for other teams to lose, then we can reach the semi-finals," he added.