Former Pakistan pace legend Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Mohammad Rizwan for his abject captaincy. Pakistan and Bangladesh became the first two sides to be knocked out of the Champions Trophy 2025. The Men in Green had begun with a loss to New Zealand and followed it up with their huge loss to India. Bangladesh also lost both their games to be shown the exit door.
Akhtar, who was appearing on an analysis show on PTV Sports along with Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez, said, “We do not have a personal agenda against the players. If I wasn't paid, I wouldn't even be here discussing Pakistan cricket. Honestly, I have nothing to do with this team. I have been doing this since 2011 and I have said it all. I have been seeing this deterioration since 2011.”
The former pace bowling legend also said, “If you make abnormal people captain and make strange selections, this is what the result will be. I have previously worked with captains whose personalities would change thrice in a day." Mohammad Rizwan was called out after winning the toss and batting first vs India and not showing any intent.
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Pakistan had come into the tournament as the defending champions and were hosting an ICC event after 29 years. The tune-up to the campaign saw Pakistan lose the tri-series at home when they were beaten by New Zealand by five wickets in the finals. After listening to his former teammate, Shoaib Malik said, “Why don't you join the system once? Just join once and fix iit.
To which the former Pakistan pace bowler said, “Give me the domestic circuit; I will fix it. I will sacrifice my time with my family for the future of Pakistan. I know what my fate will be after three years. I'm still ready to sacrifice." During the course of the show, Akhtar also lambasted Pakistani players for idolizing the wrong players.
Akhtar said, “Let’s try to sum up Virat Kohli a little bit. Now tell me, who is the hero of Virat Kohli? Sachin Tendulkar has scored 100 centuries, and Virat is chasing his legacy." Former India skipper Virat Kohli scored his 51st ODI century and helped the team win the game with 45 balls left.
Shoaib Akhtar ended by saying, “Who is Babar Azam's hero? Tuk tuk. You have picked the wrong heroes. Your thought process is wrong. You were a fraud from the beginning. You were caught from the beginning. You made it clear in the ICC Champions Trophy itself that 'I have become No. 1 for one and a half days. You are no No. 1. You promoted the wrong people."