Legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar is never known to mince his words.
True to his reputation, he blasted the team’s performance after they lost to Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup on Thursday.
After electing to bat, Zimbabwe could only manage 130/8 in 20 overs.
However, their bowlers restricted Pakistan to 129/8 to clinch a historic win at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Shan Masood (44) was the only batter to show some spine.
The star bowler for Zimbabwe was ironically, Pakistan-born all-rounder Sikandar Raza.
Raza bagged three crucial wickets that broke the back of Pakistan’s batting.
Left-arm pacer Brad Evans was another key performer, picking two wickets, and also defending 11 runs off the final over as Zimbabwe won the match by one run.
Akhtar’s main grouse is that the team has selected many average players and keeps repeating the same mistakes.
Akhtar said, “Your performances are average. Enjoy, and keep selecting unworthy players. Don’t let good people play.”
“I’m not talking about myself. Job can go to hell. I’m just worried that the country suffers because of this. Don’t bring cut-for-role people, who are disciplined and know how things work.”
“You’ve ruined everything.”, vented Akhtar.
“Aapaki performances average hai. Enjoy karein, aur select karein nalaykon ko. Acche logon ka na layein.”
“Main apane baare mein baat nahin kar raha hoon. Naukaree bhaad mein jay. Mujhe bas is baat dikkat hai ki the country is suffering.”
“Cut-for-role logon ko na laen, jo disciplined hain aur jaanate hain ki cheezein kaise kaam karti hain),” Akhtar said in a Youtube video.
Pakistan will take on Netherlands in their next Super 12 match on Sunday.
It’s a do-or-die match for them and a defeat could end their T20 World Cup campaign.