Wasim Akram's 'Brutally Honest' Criticism Of Pakistan Cricket: 'This Is The Best We've Got...'
Wasim Akram dismissed the idea hat Pakistan players were selected via recomendations and favouritism despite having '5-6 selectors'.
Pakistan’s historic return to hosting global events after three decades was spoiled on Wednesday as the hosts lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener at the National Stadium in Karachi.
President Asif Ali Zardari joined thousands of fans at the National Stadium in Karachi as Pakistan hosted its first International Cricket Council event since 1996.
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But a poor performance from the home team left a packed 29,300 crowd disappointed.
Batting first after Pakistan won the toss, New Zealand were well served by hundreds from Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118 not out), as they posted 320 for five. There was also a blazing half-century by Glenn Phillips (61 off 39).
In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 260 with Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah making 64 and 69, respectively. Salman Agha made a 28-ball 42.
Despite the humiliating loss, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said the current crickters are the ‘best players’ Pakistan currently have and dismissed that they were selected via recomendations and favouritism despite having ‘5-6 selectors’.
“Look, if you want me to be brutally honest, I can be. In our culture, we are like ‘these are our kids, don’t criticise’. It’s very normal here. But I think these are our best players. If there were someone better than them, they would’ve been selected. Here, we have this popular word called parchi. At this level, parchi doesn’t work. It’s very difficult to explain this to Pakistan people," Akram was quoted as saying.
“We have 5-6 selectors. It’s a complicated situation. The domestic structure has changed," he added.
Because of security concerns Pakistan have not held a major international tournament since they were World Cup co-hosts with India and Sri Lanka in 1996.
The cricket will be played in three cities in Pakistan but there will also be fixtures in Dubai in order to accommodate India who refuse to visit their neighbouring arch-rivals.
The eight-nation event got underway with Pakistan’s Air Force flying over the stadium to mark the occasion and President Zardari in attendance.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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