Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar expressed his disappointment over the performance of the Pakistan cricket team against England. Pakistan lost the second ODI at Lord's by 52 runs and gave away the series to Ben Stokes-led England side.
Having lost the first ODI in the three-match series, the second match was a do-or-die encounter for Babar Azam and co. Batting first, England got bowled out on 247 runs in the 47-over each side match, and for Pakistan, it was Hassan Ali who picked up a five-wicket haul.
In reply, Pakistan were all-out in just 41 overs. They managed 195 runs after the top order failed once again and only Saud Shakeel tried to revive their chase with a half-century.
Akthar slammed the poor performance by the Pakistan team and said no one will take interest in their cricket if the team continues to play like this. He feels the Pakistan team played mediocre cricket and they may get whitewashed in the ODI series.
"You all would have definitely watched the match. What would you have watched in the match? The world has stopped watching the match and has unfollowed the Pakistan team because there are no stars. How can you create stars based on such kinds of performances? Who will pay money and come to watch the Pakistan team play?", he asked on his official YouTube channel.
"Honestly, if you ask me, Pakistan played like an average team, Pakistan is an average team and Pakistan's batting has been average then there are no doubts whatsoever. It's really disappointing to know that Pakistan has lost the series and I can foresee a 3-0 hammering here", he added.
Akhtar, on the Boss News, continued to criticize the Pakistan side, which has lost the ODI series against a substitute side of England's regular limited-overs team.
"Although it was just run-a-ball and what was there in that bowling for you to have so much difficulty. The ball nibbles around a little, that itself is a lot for you. A very, very average performance," Akhtar said on Boss News.
The ex-cricketer further said the current Pakistan team doesn't inspire any youngsters to play cricket. '"No one enjoys criticizing anyone. But tell me, which kid will start playing cricket after watching this team? The PCB's plan is that no one should watch or follow cricket and they don't have to spend anything," Akhtar said. "What was there in the wicket, first tell me that. Pakistan is only a T20 team. They play like T20 and get out like that. They lose five wickets in twenty overs. In T20s also, they score 150-175 and exactly the same in ODIs."
