ODI WC: 'Keep bringing mediocre and average people' - Akhtar FUMES after Pakistan loses to Afghanistan

Babar Azam-led Pakistan lost to Afghanistan by eight wickets in match 22 of the CWC 2023 edition on Monday (Oct 23) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Opting to bat first, the Men in Green posted 282 for 7 riding on fifties from Abdullah Shafique (58), skipper Babar (74) before 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 loss, Pakistan have been slammed left, right and centre by their former players as their progress to the next round rests on a knife edge. Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar, former Pakistan speedster, has reacted to his national side's loss and feels 'mediocre and average people' in Pakistan cricket setup have affected their growth.

“Keep bringing mediocre and average people. People have made a joke of brand building. It’s about building an institution that builds a brand. Now what do I say in this long debate?” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

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Akhtar added, "The position Pakistan cricket has reached and where the cricket team is today is a direct reflection of the choices they have made in the last 20-30 years. Keep on bringing the same people, keep on making the same mistakes and you will get the same kind of results."

After the defeat, Babar said at the post-match presentation, "This hurts us. We had a good total. In the bowling, we aren't up to the mark because we are not taking wickets in the middleovers. In the World Cup, if you are not good in even one department, then you'll lose the match. In the field, we didn't stop boundaries and gave away runs, that cost us. Bowling - we started well, in the middle overs, we needed wickets but we couldn't take any wickets. All credit to Afghanistan the way they played in all three departments. That's why they won. We are not playing good cricket in bowling and fielding."

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