World Cup 2019: Those who expected Pakistan to lift the cup were daydreaming, says Kamran Akmal

Pakistan wicket-keeper-batsman Kamran Akmal believes that the current Pakistan side never had it in it to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing cricket World Cup in England and Wales. The 37-year-old who last played for Pakistan in 2017 said those who were expecting that Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men would go on to win the trophy this time were “daydreaming”.

Pakistan have managed to win just one of their five games played in the tournament so far. The win came against England after their lacklustre opening game against the West Indies. However, two defeats against Australia and India respectively have put them in a jeopardy, next to the exit door.

Akmal’s remarks came in the wake of Pakistan’s 89-run loss to India via Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Sunday. Sarfaraz’s men never looked to be in the game as the Indian batsmen and bowlers dominated the rain-truncated match after Sarfaraz won the toss and elected to bowl. The captain came under heavy criticism for his decision. Pakistan now have lost seven consecutive matches against India at the cricket World Cup.

“The Pakistan team was never a contender for [the] semi-finals, so thinking about winning the World Cup with such players was nothing more than daydreaming. The batting order is very poor, while captain [Sarfraz Ahmed] is not looking in any sort of command and committing a lot of mistakes, which are ultimately hurting the national cause,” Pakistan’s The Nation quoted Akmal, a relative of Babar Azam, as saying.

“Now the best thing for Pakistan is to win as [many] matches as they can from the remaining matches and end the [World Cup] on a high note.”

Pakistan were in a similar situation on 1992

However, one must not lose focus of the fact that in 1992, when Pakistan had won their only World Cup title so far, the first five games saw three defeats, one win and one wash-out – identical to their 2019 campaign. One of those losses was against India as well. However, Imran Khan’s side then went on to win the remaining three games in a row and went on to win the trophy.