Wasim Akram lashed out at Pakistan after losing to America, said- performance is very poor

Dallas Dallas: Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram criticised Pakistan’s “pathetic performance” against the USA in the Super Over and said it will be difficult for Babar Azam’s side to reach the knockouts of the T20 World Cup.Pakistan and USA had scored 159-159 runs in the stipulated time but the USA later successfully defended 18 runs in the Super Over to register a stunning win on Thursday. “Pathetic performance. Winning and losing is part of the game. But you have to fight till the last ball. It was bad for Pakistan cricket,” Akram told Star Sports. “Pakistan will struggle to qualify for the Super Eight from here on, as they have to play India (on June 9) and two more good teams (Ireland and Canada),” he said. The mastermind behind Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup triumph felt the turning point of the game was the USA taking early wickets.

Pakistan were 30 for three at the end of the power play and then skipper Babar and Shadab Khan added 72 runs for the fourth wicket but despite that the team failed to find the rhythm. “The turning point of the game… the way USA took early wickets. Pakistan had a little partnership between Babar and Shadab and then nobody could score. Fielding was below average, overall average cricket was played by Pakistan,” 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 the target…I mean scoring 19 runs in the Super Over is like scoring 36 runs in the Super Over. Well done USA,” he said. Akram also praised USA captain Monank Patel for bowling and scoring a match-winning half-century. “The most special moment of the day for me was USA captain Monank Patel’s innings, the way he batted…led his bat forward. The way he used his suit, that is, led from the front. His fielding was brilliant every time and USA played very brilliant cricket,” he added.