New York: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has lambasted the Babar Azam-led current men's senior team for its dismal performance against arch-rivals India in a T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York.
Despite being in the driver's seat for most of the match, Pakistan fell prey to their agonising batting in the middle overs while chasing a modest total of 120 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
India won the match by six runs after once being in the back seat in the encounter.
Akram criticised the lack of game awareness of the senior batters.
"Pakistan ko dushman ki zarurat nahi hai, ye khudi bahut hain (Pakistan doesn't need an enemy, they are plenty themselves). Now should we put a pacifier in their mouths? Now we have to explain to them what situation awareness is. Babar will explain, the coach will explain," Akram said on Star Sports.
The former pacer further said the Pakistan team has descended to a point where it has become "embarrassing" to support them.
"Now it has started to become embarrassing. As a Pakistani, I want to back the Pakistan team. But there's a limit to everything," Akram said while slamming the Pakistan team.
Meanwhile, the 1983 World Cup winner, Madan Lal, has lavished praise on the Indian bowlers especially Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for scripting a six-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan.
Madan Lal termed it a "good win" for India as Pakistan was only chasing 120 for victory and gave credit to the bowling unit for making the victory possible.
"All credit goes to the bowlers. I will have to praise them for the way they bowled as a unit, especially Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Pandya's four overs proved very crucial. The spinners too bowl well. To win a match while defending a target of 120 is a big achievement," Madan Lal said.
