'Pakistan have a bad captain' - Shoaib Akhtar explodes after the humiliating loss against Zimbabwe

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar lashed out at Babar Azam for poor captaincy after the shocking defeat against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 stage. Chasing 131 to win, the Men in Green lost wickets at regular intervals on account of an inspired bowling effort from the Zimbabwe side and eventually fell short by one run in the end.  

Skipper Babar was dismissed early again for just four runs off nine deliveries and he is yet to fire in big games so far since the Asia Cup 2022. The loss against Zimbabwe meant that Pakistan no longer has their qualifying chances to the semi-finals in their own hands and will have to depend on the other teams' results.  

You can't just walk into a tournament and expect that the opposition will let you win: Shoaib Akhtar 

Akhtar noted that he has always felt that the current Pakistan batting line-up will produce success but not on a consistent basis. He termed Babar’s leadership as ‘bad’ and mentioned how Mohammad Nawaz has struggled while bowling the final overs. He further claimed that Babar should bat at three and highlighted the major flaws in the game including Shaheen Shah’s fitness while questioning the brand of cricket Pakistan had played.  

"I don't know why is it so hard for you guys to understand. I have said this before, and I am saying it again that with our top and middle-order, we can achieve big success. We can't win consistently. Pakistan have a bad captain. Pakistan are out of the World Cup. Nawaz has bowled the last over in the three games we have lost,” Akhtar said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel. 

"Babar should bat one down. Major flaw in Shaheen Shah Afridi's fitness. Major flaw in the captaincy, and major flaws in the management. We will back you but what brand of cricket are you playing? You can't just walk into a tournament and expect that the opposition will let you win," he added.