Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has strongly condemned the national team’s bowling display in their Asia Cup Super Four match against India, asserting that even a score of 200 would not have been defensible.
Speaking on PTV Sports, Akhtar criticized Pakistan’s bowling plan and leadership. He questioned the decision to use part-time bowler Saim Ayub before specialist spinner Abrar Ahmed, adding that if Faheem Ashraf was to be utilized, it should have been with the new ball. “If Faheem had replaced Saim, he could have been more impactful,” Akhtar stated.
The ex-pacer declared Pakistan’s bowling unit simply inadequate. “Even if Pakistan had reached 200 runs, the bowlers would not have been capable of protecting it. The bowling performance was substandard. Haris Rauf was unable to take a wicket. Indian batsmen were dismissed due to their own errors-Suryakumar Yadav played a careless stroke and gifted Pakistan a wicket. If not, the game wouldn’t have even lasted this long.’
Akhtar also suggested that opener Abhishek Sharma’s early exit only postponed the unavoidable. “Had he remained at the crease longer, the fixture would have concluded five overs sooner. It continued to the 19th over solely because of his dismissal,” he mentioned.
The one-time speedster further noted that India fielded a weakened team. “Imagine-KL Rahul wasn’t even participating. He is a batsman who overwhelms bowlers. Rather than Sanju Samson, India should have included KL Rahul in the lineup. Samson was their vulnerability, and that’s the reason the contest extended to the 19th over.’