Pakistan still in World Cup but have to win all matches, says Shoaib Akhtar

He was elated after Pakistan made a strong comeback in ICC World Cup 2019, beating a strong England. However, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side found the ‘go down’ route too soon from there. They have been beaten by Australia and India now while the game against Sri Lanka, a comparatively modest opposition, was washed out. The former champions now have only three points from five games and the task is immensely tough now for them to make the semi-finals.

Pakistan now have a week break to regroup for their next game which is against South Africa on June 23. They then play New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and will have to theoretically win all their games to make the last four. Currently, the 1992 champions are placed at the ninth position, just above Afghanistan, who are yet to win their first match and have a NRR of -1.93.

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has been particularly vocal after the team’s 89-run loss to arch-rivals India at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Greenshirts had a poor day on the field in all departments and finished second-best against a much superior India in a game that had a couple of rain interruptions.

Sarfaraz won the toss and sent India in to bat first and riding on opener Rohit Sharma’s scintillating 140, Virat Kohli’s side totalled 336 for 5 in 50 overs. Pakistan continued to be in the chase till Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam were at the crease but once Azam fell, the innings collapsed. Eventually, Pakistan scored 212 for 6 in 40 overs when they were required to score 302, as per the DLS Method.

Akhtar slammed captain Sarfaraz as ‘brainless’

A heartbroken and angry Akhtar slammed the entire Pakistan team for its insipid show. He called the captain “brainless”, team management “clueless” and took on the players individually. In a tweet, he said he was disappointed and heartbroken and while conceding that Pakistan were still in the competition, they would have to win all their remaining games to make the last four.

Pakistan, the champions of the 1992 edition and finalists of the 1999 tournament which was also played in England, raised hopes because of their Champions Trophy triumph in 2017. But the ordinary performance in cricket’s biggest event has now left their future in jeopardy unless of course, they make a thumping return like that in 1992.