'At least take five wickets before these hugs and flying kisses' - Shoaib Akhtar takes a dig at Shaheen Afridi's post-wicket celebration

Pakistan’s shocking loss in the three-match ODI series against a second-string England team has not gone down well with many former players, experts, critics, and fans. The Men in Green’s consecutive losses, with a similar batting collapse, have left a lot to be desired. Now. former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has taken a dig at left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who surprisingly failed to have an impact in the two games picking only two wickets.

Afridi is currently the leader of the attack and his non-performance in the ODI series has left Akhtar unimpressed. The cricketer-turned-expert especially pointed out to the young pacer’s celebration after taking a wicket and has come hard at it, stating he should stick to taking more wickets for the team.

Afridi tends to give flying kisses, after taking each wicket. This celebration has now become synonymous with the 21-year-old and Akhtar does not like it. “Shaheen Afridi likes blowing flying kisses more than taking wickets. At least take five wickets or run through a batting lineup before these hugs and flying kisses. What’s the point of doing it after just one wicket,” said Akhtar to Cricket Pakistan.

Shoaib Akhtar not happy with the current Pakistan setup

The former fast bowler also slammed the current Pakistan management for not able to get the results out of the team, who were together for 30 days. He compared the team to the England side, who assembled just before the limited-overs series was about to begin on July 8.

“Don’t give excuses like the team wasn’t gelled in. They [England] assembled a team two and half days before the match and they were able to gel in but you weren’t despite being together for 30 days. You lost to England’s academy team,” he said.

The 45-year-old concluded by saying the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the management is at fault and felt it should be changed before the team hits complete rock bottom. “I’m saying this very clearly that I want this mediocre management and PCB to be given three more years so that Pakistan cricket completely hits rock bottom.”

“There was no fight or sense of game awareness shown by this team. If this team was in 1996, it would not have been considered to become ball pickers, let alone playing for the national side, in a Pakistan team camp. This team doesn’t have even a single player which encourages kids to take up cricket,” he added.