'He doesn't know how to bat. Babar-Afridi don't talk. Rizwan has no awareness': Wasim Akram is livid

India and Pakistan indulged in a thrilling low-scoring encounter at the Nassau County International Stadium, in New York on Sunday. Ahead of the start of the Group A contest in the T20 World Cup 2024, the major focus was on how the pitch was going to fare. What was feared became a reality as batsmen from both teams struggled to score runs on the track, and hence the battle of low totals ensued. Batting first, India attained a meagre figure of 119. In reply, Pakistan could not go beyond the 113-run mark. Consequently, losing the match by 6 runs.

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IND vs PAK: Wasim Akram berates Pakistan team following loss against India in T20 World Cup 2024

Following the culmination of the match, the Pakistan team suffered a routine bashing on social media and from many former cricketers, who once represented Pakistan. Among the horde, legendary pacer Wasim Akram also factored in his views and lashed out at the team blatantly.

Akram was disappointed with the way Mohammad Rizwan got out. Rizwan was playing the anchor's role in Pakistan's chase and threatening to take the game away from India. But Jasprit Bumrah was brought back into the attack in the 15th over, and on the first ball of his over he cleaned up Rizwan. According to Akram, there was no need for Rizwan to go aggressive against Bumrah and in the moment lacked game awareness.

“They have been playing cricket for 10 years, and I can’t teach them. Rizwan has no game awareness,” Akram said on Star Sports after the match.

“He should have known that Bumrah was given the ball to take wickets and that the wise thing would have been to play his deliveries cautiously. But Rizwan went for a big shot and lost his wicket,” he said.

The Sultan of Swing also had some words to say about Iftikhar Ahmed. He cast doubts on Iftikhar's ability to bat.

“Iftikhar Ahmed knows one shot on the leg side. He has been a part of the team for years but doesn’t know how to bat,” said Akram.

Akram also urged PCB to bring transition to the team as the current lot is on a carefree ride about their position in the team.

“I can’t go and tell about the game awareness Fakhar Zaman. Pakistani players think that if they don’t perform well, the coaches will be sacked, and nothing will happen to them. It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team.”

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Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi not on talking terms?

He also paid heed to the problems that persist internally within the team. Akram hinted that Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are not on talking terms since the change in captaincy.

“There are players who don’t want to talk to each other. This is international cricket, and you play for your country. Make these players sit at home,” he said.