Saddened by Pakistan’s pathetic show at the Champions Trophy, former captains Wasim Akram and Rameez Raja lashed out at side’s “spineless” batting and said the time has come for rebuilding the team on Sunday.

Pakistan lost all the three Group matches to crash out of the tournament.

“What has really concerned me is that we could not play out our full quota of overs in even one match. The batting generally has been spineless and shameful. This is not the way to play in a top tournament. I think it is time changes were made in the team and youngsters were given proper chances to establish themselves,” Akram said.

“For too long we have been relying on the same players who have failed us again and again,” the bowing great added.

Except skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, all others came in the firing line of Akram and Rameez. Misbah scored two half- centuries in Pakistans defeats to West Indies and South Africa when the team fell for under 200 runs.

“I don’t see any threat to his future. He was your only batsman to play the way other players should have played. I can say if Misbah had not scored runs on the tour this team the way it batted could have even been bowled out for totals of 30 or more,” Akram said.

The former great also lashed out at all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez who is being touted by a strong lobby as a possible replacement as captain for Misbah.

“I don’t think Misbah should be changed as captain.

Hafeez is just not mature enough or ready for this job. They call him professor and all that but first he must prove himself by being a match winner for Pakistan in the big matches, then consider him as future captain,” Akram said bluntly.

Raja also called for hard decisions. “I was appalled and sad by the way our batsmen performed.

For too long our bowlers have put their hands up and supported the batsmen. Unfortunately there is no balance between the two in our team and that is the major problem,” he said.

“We must learn from India. For the first time in my life I was sure this Indian team will beat us. I am sad by the indifferent and irresponsible attitude of some of the players. The time has come for changes and a new team to be rebuilt.”

Rameez also said that Pakistan’s entire cricket structure needed to be revamped with special focus on domestic cricket competitions.

“The unfortunate part is that we have focused only on quantity not quality in our domestic cricket and the result is no one takes it seriously neither is it producing the quality players we had in the past,” he said.

He said honest administrators were also required to revamp Pakistan cricket’s structure with hard and honest decisions in line.

Courtesy: CRICKET COUNTRY

Applauding the performer of the Green-shirts, former captain of Pakistan cricket team and legend pacer Wasim Akram has said that Pakistan gained confidence by chasing the target against Australia in the second one-day of three-match series in Abu Dhabi.

While talking to a private TV channel, he commend of Pakistan’s impressive victory against world’s best Kangaroos.
In his view, Muhammad Hafeez was one-day’s dangerous player, adding that the all-round would have to play with more brainpower and confidence.

He noted, “The credit for victory against Australia goes to the entire team. This was the best victory of Pakistan”.
Wasim Akram, who was legendary in-swinger of his era, further said that the Green-shirts often faced difficulty in chasing the target against big teams.

He, however, said that this time the confidence gained from meeting the target would help in future also.
The pacer also praised the batting of Nasir Jamshed and bowling of Saeed Ajmal which played vital role in acquiring victory for Pakistan.

- Wasim Akram lauds the Green shirts...!

Earlier on Friday, Pakistan beat Australia by seven wickets in the second one-day international, levelling the three-match series by 1-1 and making the third-game as serious decider.

Opener Nasir Jamshed hit an attractive 97 to set Pakistan on course for chasing a 249-run total in 43.4 overs. Michael Hussey top scored for Australia with 61 while Saeed Ajmal took 4-32.

Pakistan’s win was the fourth-highest successful run chase in the 20-game history of Sheik Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Australia are already one-up in the series after defeating Pakistan by four wickets and 10 balls to spare at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium last Saturday.

Courtesy: NEWS PAKISTAN

KARACHI: Famed paceman Wasim Akram was upbeat Tuesday about growing signs that India and Pakistan are to resume cricketing ties, nearly four years after they were suspended following the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf is in India negotiating a revival of matches after watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) final.

India has also allowed the Sialkot Stallions to take part in October’s Champions League, the first such participation by a Pakistani team since 2008.

Wasim, who as bowling coach helped Kolkata Knight Riders win their maiden IPL title on Sunday, said there were signs of a thaw.

“I acted as an ambassador for Pakistan as everyone knows me and during my stay I have seen that people want Indo-Pak cricket to start and for me the invitation for Sialkot is the first step,” Wasim said.

Pakistani players featured in the inaugural IPL in 2008 and Sialkot was due to participate in the first Champions League the same year, until the Mumbai attacks saw cricket ties suspended.

Wasim, 45, expressed his hope that the doors to the IPL will open for Pakistani cricketers next year.

“Pakistani players Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez are popular in India and Indian fans have realised they can add to the charm of the league,” said Wasim, who played 104 Tests and 352 one-day internationals for Pakistan.

Wasim added that India not playing Pakistan was a great setback for the millions of spectators in both countries.

“I am a great advocate of Indo-Pak cricket and I hope all the issues between the two countries are solved so that millions of fans are not deprived of such entertaining cricket,” said Wasim, who led Pakistan on the tour of India in 1999.

Turning to Pakistan’s imminent tour to Sri Lanka, Wasim said: “Pakistan has done well in the past year and although it will be tough playing Sri Lanka on their home grounds I am sure this Pakistan team will do well.”

Pakistan play two Twenty20, five one-dayers and three Tests on the tour of Sri Lanka, with the first Twenty20 taking place in Hambantota on Friday.

Courtesy: TIMES OF INDIA