The manner in which Pakistan lost is unacceptable: Wasim Akram

Pakistan suffered their heaviest defeat against India batting first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 23 and the pain has been excruciating for their former greats. Former captain Wasim Akram was one among them who flayed his country’s forgettable performance against an energetic Indian side, the second to happen in four days in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss yet again and preferred to bat first. And their batsmen did a better job this time by taking their side past 230, their bowlers let them down yet again. They failed to claim a single wicket as both Indian openers – captain Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan – slammed hundreds and the only wicket that fell in the form of Dhawan came through a run-out.

Akram, who featured for Pakistan on many memorable occasions against the arch-rivals in the past, said win or loss is part of the game but the way in which Ahmed’s side capitulated was not acceptable. The loss has been more humiliating since Pakistan play in the United Arab Emirates more often since it is their virtual home because of no cricket in their own country while India are playing here after 12 years.

‘Pakistan were bad in every department’

Akram believed Ahmed should have opted to bowl first in Sunday’s game and told India Today in an exclusive talk, “They were equally bad in every aspect of the game. It was a below-par performance by Pakistan. They should have known the conditions and should have bowled first. It’s their home ground.”

Batting became much easier in the second half after Pakistan managed 237 for 7 in their 50 overs but an ordinary fielding by the Men in Green made things even easier for Rohit’s men. They romped home inside 40 overs with Rohit remaining unbeaten on 111. Dhawan was dismissed for 114.

The former cricketer, however, did not forget to praise India who are playing without their best batsman Virat Kohli in this tournament, “It’s very disappointing, disheartening. I can understand winning and losing is part of the game but not like this. This has been a just one-horse race. India has been just incredible in this Asia Cup without their main player, without their captain”.

He also said Pakistan needed to play cricket with more competitive sides as playing against Zimbabwe and the West Indies will not raise their game.

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