Winning Champions Trophy was a fluke for Pakistan, admits Wasim Akram

Pakistan’s double jeopardy against India within five days in the Asia Cup has left the supporters and former players devastated and distraught. Sarfraz Ahmed’s team was left looking a hapless lot by Rohit Sharma’s far clinical side as the former champions were routed by 8 wickets and 9 wickets, respectively, in their two encounters in the tournament so far. More than the loss, it was the manner in which the team lost the games that hurt the former players more.

Former captain Wasim Akram was particularly brutal when it came to analysing the team’s performance. A warrior of many battles between the two arch-rivals, the 52-year-old said Pakistan were not helping their own cause by playing lesser teams like Zimbabwe and that the Men in Green needed to shed their ‘Champions Trophy-winning baggage’ and look forward.

No point in playing lesser teams

Speaking to Aaj Tak from Dubai, Akram said: “I played for Pakistan for 20 odd years. I never thought I would live to see this day. The way we got thrashed… one-sided games. We need to play less against the low-ranked sides. I am all promotion of the game… one off it’s fine. But going to Zimbabwe, playing five one-days, three T20s. What is Pakistan team gaining from these tours? Nothing. They go and score runs there, hit double hundreds, but when they play good bowling, good teams, they come under pressure. We need to strengthen our team and play good teams in their home.”

When he was asked whether the team was still living in the past, basking the glory of their Champions Trophy victory last year, Akram said: “These defeats will at least get Pakistan rid of their Champions Trophy nostalgia. There is no relevance of the Champions Trophy win which came one-and-half years ago. India’s main player Virat Kohli didn’t even come and God knows what would have happened had he been around.”

He also praised India for their show in all departments and said they are miles ahead of Pakistan in all departments. “When we played India, they used to be under pressure. Now, Pakistan experience what India used to in the 90s. There will be wins or losses but there should have been at least some fight,” he said on the show which also had Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and former Indian all-rounder, Madan Lal.

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