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Iconic pacer Wasim Akram slammed the Pakistan cricket team for their subpar performance and fitness levels in their defeat against Afghanistan in the ongoing World Cup. Akram was speaking during a post match program on Pakistan based Sports Channel A Sports.
Misfields and dropped catches have been a constant story for the Men in Green through the World Cup. Even though misfielding was a common theme in the backdrop of their historic defeat, the lack of aggression was another factor that contributed to their downfall. Afghanistan played on an attacking note and reaped the benefits of it, on the other hand, Pakistan played on a defensive note and lacked aggression to attack when the need arose. Akram was livid after Pakistan's defeat and didn't hold back to pinpoint the lack of fitness in the team and said as quoted from the broadcast on A Sports channel, "It was embarrassing today. They [Afghanistan] chased 280-290 with 8 wickets in hands which is huge. They nullified the pitch factor completely. And just look at the fitness levels of our players." "We have been screaming here for the past three weeks that they haven't been through fitness tests in the last two years. Now should I name them individually, their faces are getting broader. Lagta hai roz 8 kilo nihari khate hain (Seems like they are eating 8 kilos of meat every day) there should be some test, you are being paid for playing for your country and there has to be a certain criteria," Akram added. Speaking on the same program on A Sports Pakistan, former Pakistan wicket-keeper Moin Khan questioned Pakistan's schedule as planned by the PCB. "There was a complete lack of planning for the World Cup. We played 3 months in Sri Lanka including a Test series and then the Asia Cup in this heat. The players looked completely drained out and lethargic on the field. I don't know who is advising the board, they obvioulsy haven't played cricket before" Moin Khan said. On Monday, Afghanistan left the spectators in a state of bewilderment after registering their second surprise victory in the World Cup and their first-ever win over Pakistan in the 50-over format. Riding on a dazzling all-round performance in the field, Afghanistan stunned their neighbours with a thumping eight-wicket defeat on a sluggish Chennai surface on Monday. The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), and Ibrahim Zadran (87), along with Rahmat Shah (77)* at No.3, starred with the bat to help Afghanistan post a win for the ages. After the mauling against India, Pakistan's bowlers had another forgettable outing, failing to put any pressure on the Afghan batters despite defending an above-par total of 283 on a sluggish and challenging Chennai surface. Chasing 283, a challenging total on a Chennai pitch affording uneven bounce, Afghanistan cantered to a win by eight wickets, with an over to spare. Afghanistan has now got the better of two cricketing powerhouses -- former world champions Pakistan and the defending champions England. The win lifted Afghanistan to sixth on the points table. On the other hand, Pakistan stayed on the fifth position with four points and a net run rate of -0.400. The high-flying Afghans will play Sri Lanka next on October 30 at the high-scoring Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. (ANI)
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