'Eating 8 kg mutton every day': Akram SLAMS Babar-led Pakistan's fitness after World Cup loss to Afghanistan

Pakistan lost to Afghanistan by eight wickets in match 22 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 edition on Monday (Oct 23) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Opting to bat first, Babar Azam-led Men in Green rode on captain's 74 and Abdullah Shafique's 58 to post 282 for 7, with Noor Ahmed claiming 3 for 49 before Afghan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), Player-of-the-Match Ibrahim Zadran (87), skipper Hasmatullah Shahidi (48*) and Rahmat Shah (77*) took their side home in 49 overs.

After the shocking defeat to Afghanistan, which is their third on the trot, Pakistan are staring at early elimination from the ten-team tournament. Hence, many former Pakistani cricketers have slammed the current lot for their ordinary bowling, fitness standards and not being as aggressive as other teams with the bat at the start.

'There has been no fitness test for the last 2 years'

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Wasim Akram, Pakistan's legendary former pacer, ripped into Babar Azam & Co. for their fitness levels after the Afghanistan defeat. Soon after the loss, he told A Sports, "It's embarrassing. Just 2 wickets, 280-290 is a big score. The pitch is wet or not wet. Fielding was... you look at the fitness levels. We have been discussing on this show that there has been no fitness test for the last 2 years. If I take the players' individual names, they won't like it. It looks like they are eating 8 kg of mutton every day."

Akram pointed out, "There should be tests. Professionally, you are playing for your country, you are being paid. I am with Misbah. When he was coach, he had that criteria, players hated him. But, it worked for the team. Fielding is all about fitness, and it shows on the field."

He further added, "Now we have come to a stage, where we will pray, do ifs and buts, wait for other teams to lose, then we can reach the semi-finals."

Pakistan remain in the fifth spot (with four points) after the loss to Afghanistan. They have to win all their remaining four games -- against South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand and England -- to progress ahead.

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