WATCH: Wasim Akram furious over Pakistan players’ fitness after embarrassing loss to Afghanistan in 2023 ODI World Cup

Legendary pacer Wasim Akram has lashed out at the fitness of Pakistan players who suffered a humiliating defeat against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Arriving as underdogs, Afghanistan have produced two of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup, with Pakistan becoming the second victim after England.

Babar Azam and Co. were annihilated by 8 wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday, October 23. It was Pakistan’s third consecutive loss in the tournament and their qualification for the semi-finals is now in jeopardy. Moreover, the Men in Green succumbed to their first-ever defeat to Afghanistan in ODI cricket, a record that was shattered in their eighth meeting.

After electing to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 282/7 on the back of half-centuries from opener Abdullah Shafiq and captain Babar Azam. In a difficult batting, the target looked good enough to defend, but surprisingly, Afghanistan made a mockery of all such facts and Pakistan’s ‘deadly pace attack’.

Pakistan’s fielding blunders aid Afghanistan to an easy win

Afghan openers – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) and Ibrahim Zadran (87) – once again provided a solid platform with a 130-run partnership. Rahmat Sah (77) and skipper Hashmatulah Shahidi (48) did not fail to capitalise on the start as they together steered Afghanistan past the finish line for a famous win. Notably, Afghanistan also received a helping hand from their opponents with some blunders on the field.

“It’s embarrassing. Just 2 wickets, 280-290 is a big score. The pitch is wet or not wet. Fielding was… you look at the fitness levels. We have been discussing on this show that there has been no fitness test for the last 2 years. If I take the players’ individual names, they won’t like it. Lagta hai roz 8 kg karahi khatay Hain (It looks like they are eating 8 kg of mutton every day),” Akram told A Sports after the match.

“There should be tests. Professionally, you are playing for your country, you are being paid. I am with Misbah. When he was coach, he had that criteria, players hated him. But, it worked for the team. Fielding is all about fitness, and it shows on the field. Now we have come to a stage, where we will pray, do ifs and buts, wait for other teams to lose, then we can reach the semi-finals,” the former Pakistan quick added.

With this defeat, Pakistan slipped to fifth place in the points table while Afghanistan climbed from the bottom to sixth place. Babar and his team will next face South Africa at the same venue on Friday, October 27.