Cricket World Cup - "I Am Scared Of...": Wasim Akram Names New Threat For Under-Fire Pakistan

02.11.2023 - 13:09 sports.ndtv.com

Pakistan's horrendous ODI World Cup 2023 campaign came slightly back on track as they defeated Bangladesh on Tuesday. After facing four consecutive defeats, the Babar Azam-led side took a sigh of relief and thrashed Bangladesh by seven wickets in Kolkata.

Pakistan chased down the below-par target of 205 runs in just 32.3 overs. After this loss, Bangladesh became the first team to get officially knocked out of the race to semi-finals.

Pakistan, on the other hand, still have a chance to finish in the top four of the points table. Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram stated that after winning the match against Bangladesh, the Babar Azam-led side need to focus on winning their remaining matches as the other teams' results are not in their control.

Akram also said that the defending champions England, who are also on the verge of elimination, can be dangerous for other teams as they have "nothing to lose". “They (Pakistan) can only do one thing.

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team Bangladesh Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup am Babar Azam Wasim Akram Abdullah Shafique New Zealand Bangladesh Pakistan county Garden

The Indian cricket team will get down to action in its most important match in the last few years in the Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team will face five-time champions with an eye on a third ODI World Cup title. It Rohit Sharma lead the Indian cricket team to a win in the title clash, he will be the third India skipper to win the ODI Cricket World Cup after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni. India have been unbeaten at the Cricket World Cup so far with a 10-match winning steak.

"He Could Not Improve...": Shahid Afridi Slams Babar Azam's Captaincy After Pakistan's Elimination From Cricket World Cup 2023

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has lashed out at Babar Azam's capataincy after the national cricket team's poor show at Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan lost five of their nine matches played in the league stage of the tournament and failed to qualify for the semi-finals. Their defeats also included one at the hands of Afghanistan. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side outplayed Babar Azam and company by eight wickets. Criticising Babar, Afridi said that the player has not improved as captain in the past few years.

Cricket World Cup - "Not Needed": Shahid Afridi, Wasim Akram's Sharp Response On Babar Azam's 'Easy To Give Opinion' Comment

The Pakistan cricket team's Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign never really took off. With only four wins in nine matches, the Babar Azam-led Pakistan side finished their Cricket World on a disappointing note. Nothing really worked for the Pakistan cricket team. On top of that there were reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board was not really happy with Babar Azam's captaincy. The star batter was heavily criticised by former Pakistan cricket team players. Naturally, Babar was unhappy.

"We Talk About Kohli, Babar But...": Wasim Akram's Ultimate Praise For Rohit Sharma

India captain Rohit Sharma has made the Cricket World Cup 2023 his own, giving the team excellent starts right at the start of the innings, no matter which bowling attack he came across. Rohit's exploits at the top have played a big role in India's superlative show in the World Cup. In fact, Pakistan greats Wasim Akram and Shoaib Malik even pointed out what separates Rohit from other top stars like Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson and Babar Azam.

Babar Azam To Meet PCB Chief Following Pakistan's Poor Show In Cricket World Cup 2023: Report

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam arrived in Lahore on Monday following the failed World Cup campaign, with the word going around that he will not voluntarily step down and wait for the the Pakistan Cricket Board to take a call. Babar, who was received by his family members at the Lahore International Airport, looked downcast as he came out of the building surrounded by security personnel. The insider word is that Babar will meet PCB chief Zaka Ashraf this week and will take a call on his all-format captaincy after the meeting. Pakistan, the 1992 champions, failed to make it to the semifinals after an unimpressive run where they lost five of the nine league matches. Babar was first made the white-ball captain in late 2019 and, in 2021, he also took over as the Test skipper. He has led Pakistan in two Asia Cups, two T20 World Cups and the ongoing ODI World Cup without winning any title.

Wasim Akram's Huge 'Afghanistan Remark' On Pakistan's Cricket World Cup Exit

Reflecting on Pakistan's poor show in Cricket World Cup 2023, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Mailk expressed their disappointment. The former international cricketers felt that Afghanistan played better cricket than the Babar Azam-led side at the mega event. Pakistan failed to enter the semi-finals of the tournament after ending at the fifth spot in the ten-team points table. They lost five of their nine matches played in the league stage and that also included one against Afghanistan -- an eight wicket defeat that played a crucial role in Pakistan's elimination.