“Enough is Enough”- Wasim Akram vents his frustration over Pakistan’s first-class structure

Pakistan has had a horrendous campaign in the ongoing World Cup. The team led by Sarfaraz Ahmed has floundered miserably and is languishing at the ninth position of the points table. The Men in Green only have three points from five matches and are staring at elimination from the mega event. Their last defeat came against India on Sunday at the Old Trafford in Manchester.

After winning the toss and electing to field first, nothing went right for Pakistan as India racked up a mammoth 336 in their 50 overs. Rohit Sharma’s 140 coupled with half-centuries from KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli kept the power-packed Pakistan bowling attack at bay. Only pacer Mohammad Amir looked good as he got three wickets. Pakistan’s run-chase was even more abysmal.

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam scored 62 and 48 respectively to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive. However, after Kuldeep Yadav removed both of them in consecutive overs, the writing was pretty much on the walls for the Men in Green. After the 35th over of Pakistan’s innings, there was a rain delay and Sarfaraz’s men were set with a revised target of 302 in 40 overs.

With 136 needed off five overs, the game was all over, bar the shouting. Pakistan ended on 212 for the loss of six wickets. Pakistan is next scheduled to play against South Africa on June 23 at the renowned Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. In the meantime, former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram lashed out at the country’s first-class structure.

Indian cricket invested everything in their first-class cricket

He didn’t mince any words in saying that those who do well in first-class cricket should only be picked to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the country’s premier T20 tournament. “Enough is enough, only pick players in the PSL who have performed well in first-class cricket,” Akram said in the commentary box.

Even on Sunday, he criticised the manner in which Pakistan’s first-class cricket has been handled. Akram also lauded Indian cricket for investing in their domestic structure and the results are there for everyone to see. “Indian cricket invested everything in their first-class cricket over the years.

And we as Pakistan have hardly done anything for our first-class cricket. We have been changing it every year. Our first-class cricket has been run by some random journalist for some odd reason and why for so many years,” Akram mentioned just before the last rain break in the game.