Wasim Akram, former Pakistan captain, tore into the Babar Azam-led side after their embarrassing loss to the USA in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
Pakistan and the USA had scored 159 each in the regulation time before the latter successfully defended 18 runs in the Super Over to register a famous victory here on Thursday.
"Pathetic performance. Winning and losing is a part of the game. But you need to fight till the last ball. It was bad for Pakistan cricket. Pakistan will struggle from here onwards to qualify for the Super Eight because they have to play India (on June 9) and two more good teams (Ireland and Canada),” Akram said on Star Sports.
The lynchpin of Pakistan's 1992 World Cup victory believed that the United States' early wickets were the game's turning point.
Pakistan stumbled to 30 for three at the end of the Power Play, and they battled for momentum after that, despite skipper Babar and Shadab Khan contributing 72 runs for the fourth wicket.
"The turning point of the game...the way USA got early wickets. Pakistan had a little partnership between Babar and Shadab and then nobody turned up. The fielding was below average, the overall cricket by Pakistan was average," he said.
Akram who mastered the art of bowling yorkers in death overs, said conceding 18 runs in the Super Over dashed Pakistan's hopes.
"While playing against the USA, I was confident, every Pakistan supporter was confident that they would win after the way they played in the first innings. In the second innings, they (USA) came out to chase...I mean getting 19 runs in the Super Over is like getting 36 runs in a Super Over. Well done USA," he said.
Akram heaped praise on USA captain Monank Patel for marshaling his bowling resources and making a match-winning fifty.
"The moment of the day for me was the innings of USA captain Monank Patel, the way he batted...carried his bat. The way he used his suit was as if he led from the front. Their fielding was spot-on every time, and very impressive cricket from the USA," he added.
(PTI inputs)
