Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy, their first ICC tournament hosting in nearly three decades, has sparked widespread criticism from cricket experts and former players. The team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, failed to secure a single victory in their three group-stage matches.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India, while their final home game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
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Former Pakistan captain and head coach Mohammed Hafeez targeted the country’s past cricket stars for not inspiring future generations. This led to an uncomfortable exchange during the OutSide Edge Live show, which included ’90s pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar, ex-batter Shoaib Malik, and former women’s cricket team captain Sana Mir.
“I am a huge fan of those who played in the 1990s but when it comes to legacy, they left nothing for Pakistan. They didn’t win an ICC event – they lost the (World Cups of) 1996, 1999 and 2003. We reached one final (in the 1999 World Cup) and lost that badly. As stars, as players, they were the mega superstars. But then they couldn’t inspire us by winning an ICC event.”
“Then came a difficult period that we had to go through and then in 2007 we lost the final (of the T20 World Cup). In 2009 we won under Younis Khan’s captaincy and so there was an inspiration for the next generation. Then unfortunately a bad incident happened with Pakistan cricket and we have still not been able to recover from that.”
“Then we won the 2017 Champions Trophy, that was a huge source of inspiration. People idolise Babar Azam today and that is because even if he didn’t play a big hand in that event, he was there. So that thing about winning ICC events, this the superstars of the 1990s couldn’t do, with all due respect to their talents,” he added.
Akhtar hit back by saying, “These 73 one-dayers that Pakistan won against India, it is us who won it.”
“No doubt, and there has been a very strong legacy since the time of Imran Khan. There was some great cricket played during their time as well.”
“No you can’t cover up now, this video has been made already. You’ve already spoken about all big players.”
Following their Champions Trophy disappointment, Pakistan will face New Zealand in an upcoming white-ball series beginning March 16.
The team has undergone significant changes under interim head coach Aaqib Javed. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been removed from the T20I squad, with Salman Agha appointed as the new captain.
Rizwan maintains his position as ODI captain, while fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been dropped from the 50-over format team.
