3 min learnFeb 9, 2026 12:26 AM IST
Former Pakistan cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal have slammed the best way the staff virtually misplaced their T20 World Cup opener to the Netherlands earlier than Faheem Ashraf rescued them and helped them to a three-wicket victory with three balls to spare.
“Pakistan bach gaya bhai! (Pakistan nearly survived). When Shaheen Shah Afridi is named in to bat, you may think about what Pakistan batting did in that recreation. Dangerous batsmanship by the center order, particularly Babar Azam, Nawaz and Shadab Khan. These are skilled gamers. They’ve performed not simply in leagues the world over, but additionally within the Pakistan Tremendous League. As we speak, they didn’t grow to be heroes for Pakistan, they ended up being zeroes,” former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali stated.
“Who’s a match changer within the Pakistan staff? What are you going to say to a rustic’s followers that get completely happy when a wicket falls simply because it signifies that Babar Azam will come to bat. However then Babar comes and goes. As we speak’s star for Pakistan was Faheem Ashraf, who got here in at No 8. Baaki batsman chanafali bech rahe the kya?(Had been the remainder of the batters promoting peanuts?)”
Kamran Akmal additionally had some sharp phrases for the Pakistan staff.
“This match ought to have been received simply. As an alternative they received it with three balls to spare. This was not a really perfect begin. Faheem ne bachali Pakistan ki izzat. (Faheem saved Pakistan’s blushes) We’ve got already seen what Staff USA can do in opposition to India. If their bowlers are match, Pakistan should work arduous to defeat them. I don’t perceive why Pakistan discover themselves in such conditions in opposition to such groups on a regular basis. Now and again it’s wonderful. India had been additionally in bother in opposition to USA. However Pakistan get into bother in opposition to such groups each two days. If a giant staff has a foul recreation as soon as in 5 or 10 years, that’s wonderful. Yeh toh mazaak hello ban gaya hai staff ka. (The staff has grow to be a joke).
“It looks as if we’ve been saying the identical issues for the previous seven years or so. The world’s groups have raised their degree. Why don’t we’ve any readability? I’m certain the gameplan has been conveyed by the coach, however the gamers don’t have the heart! Or the sport consciousness!” Akmal added.