'The biggest insult for Pakistan cricket is losing the game in the Super Over. There can't be a bigger insult than this'
Former cricketer Kamran Akmal lambasted the Pakistan team and labelled it as the ‘biggest insult’ for the team after their unprecedented defeat against the USA in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
At the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, Pakistan were stunned by the co-hosts USA in a thrilling nail-biting clash, settled in the Super Over.
Pakistan got outplayed by the USA in all facets of the game as they went against all the odds to hand the Men in Green a defeat in their campaign opener.
Akmal slammed Pakistan for their performance and called and stated that there couldn't be a bigger insult for the team than this defeat.
"The biggest insult for Pakistan cricket is losing the game in the Super Over. There can't be a bigger insult than this. The USA played exceptionally well. They didn't feel like a low-ranked side. It felt like they were ranked above Pakistan. That is the level of maturity they showed," Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
"They deserved to win because they played better cricket than us. The face of our cricket has been revealed. It shows how we are taking our cricket forward," he added.
At one point, Pakistan had the upper hand in the game. They reduced the incoming boundaries and salvaged 15 runs to defend in the final over.
Haris Rauf brought down the equation to five runs needed from the final delivery. Nitish Kumar found the fence and forced the game to Super Over. Pakistan fell short by five runs and the USA prevailed over one of the tournament favourites.
"It is a shameful performance from the Pakistan cricket team. If they lose against big teams like England, it is fine. If they lose after giving a good fight to the opposition, it is fine. But losing against a team who haven't played so many matches," Akmal said.
"What is shameful about the defeat is firstly drawing the game and then losing in the Super Over. This day will never be forgotten," he added.
After the defeat, Pakistan's team selection came under scrutiny. Former cricketers including former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja have questioned the team's selection process.
Akmal called out the management and claimed that the selection process is based on the likes and dislikes of some members.
"Players are selected on liking and disliking. A player performed in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), but what about the past three series in which he wasn't able to perform?" Akmal claimed.
Pathetic performance: Wasim Akram
Legendary pacer Wasim Akram has lambasted Pakistan for their 'pathetic performance' and said it will be tough for Babar Azam's side to progress to the T20 World Cup knockouts.
"Pathetic performance. Winning and losing is a part of the game. But you need to fight till the last ball. It was a bad for Pakistan cricket," Akram told Star Sports.
"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)," he added.
The lynchpin of Pakistan's 1992 World Cup triumph felt that the turning point of the game was USA taking early wickets.
Pakistan stuttered to 30 for three at the end of Power Play and from thereon they struggled for momentum despite skipper Babar and Shadab Khan adding 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, a master of death bowling in his playing days, said conceding 18 runs in the Super Over dashed Pakistan's hopes.
"While playing against USA, I was confident, every Pakistan supporter was confident that they will 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 marshalling 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 as in he led from the front. Their fielding was spot-on every time, and very impressive cricket from the USA," he added.
