T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan Won’t Qualify for Super 8 After Shock USA Defeat – Wasim Akram

Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram slammed Babar Azam & Co. for their humiliating defeat against the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Wasim Akram blasted Pakistan’s performance, calling it “pathetic” and even questioned their qualification chances in the Super 8 stage.

Pakistan, considered favourites against the co-hosts, were comprehensively outplayed in all aspects of the game on Thursday.

Wasim Akram pointed out the team’s inconsistency with the bat, ball, and in-field throughout the match. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo after the match, here’s what Wasim Akram said:

“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.

The legendary pacer pinpointed the early wickets lost by Pakistan as a turning point in the match. He felt the entire team, including captain Babar Azam, played “very average” cricket.

“Nobody looked comfortable after the Shadab-Babar partnership,” Akram said. “The fielding was average. Winning and losing is part of it, but show some fight! Put some dives in, take some catches. It was a bad day for Pakistan.”

Pakistan will now travel to New York for their next crucial encounter against arch-rivals India on June 9th.

Wasim Akram’s harsh criticism serves as a wake-up call for the team as they look to bounce back from this shocking defeat and potentially salvage their World Cup campaign.