Pakistan's former cricket star Shoaib Akhtar, known for his outspoken views, has once again taken a swipe at the national cricket team following their disappointing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Akhtar, who is regarded as one of Pakistan's most fiery fast bowlers, did not hold back in his criticism of the team, calling out their lack of talent and overall underperformance in the tournament.
Shoaib Akhtar, often referred to as the "Rawalpindi Express" for his explosive pace on the field, expressed his frustration with Pakistan’s exit from the Champions Trophy, stating that the team showed the "worst performance of the millennium." He was particularly critical of the notion that there is "talent" within the squad, a sentiment often echoed by former players like Mohammad Hafeez. Akhtar took issue with this narrative, dismissing it as an overused excuse.
“There is no talent in this team,” Akhtar remarked sharply, cutting off Mohammad Hafeez's optimistic statements about the squad’s potential. "I have been hearing this line for the past two decades, but the reality is that talent is shown on the field — when you take wickets, score runs, and perform under pressure," he added.
Akhtar’s scathing remarks were aimed at the team’s poor showing, with Pakistan failing to make it past the group stages of the prestigious tournament. His comments resonated with many fans who shared his frustrations on social media. Akhtar’s words have since gone viral, with countless cricket enthusiasts agreeing that the team’s performance lacked the quality and consistency needed to compete at the highest level.
As the team faces growing criticism from fans and former players alike, Shoaib Akhtar’s blunt observations are adding to the already intense pressure on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team management to make drastic changes. Akhtar’s boldness in speaking his mind is a reminder of the tough love that is often needed in sports to push teams toward improvement.
