WATCH: Ahmed Shehzad slams Pakistan for ‘Timid Approach’ after loss to Australia during Melbourne ODI

Out of favour Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has slammed Mohammad Rizwan-led side for their loss against Australia on Monday. The men in green lost by 2 wickets despite an admirable fightback from Pakistan’s bowlers. Shehzad took to his YouTube channel and called out the team for their ‘Timid approach’ 

Ahmed Shehzad said, “Today you (Pakistan) had an opportunity that you may never get again. If Shaheen Afridi hadn’t hit those sixes, if Naseem Shah hadn’t played the crucial knock, then you were getting bowled out for 160. The batters weren’t capable of even scoring 200. Thank God the bowlers contributed with the bat to put a decent total.”

Pakistan's playing XI 🇵🇰 has to fight fire with fire to triumph over Australia 🇦🇺!#PAKvsAUS#PakistanCricketpic.twitter.com/97v8gxSK72

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) November 4, 2024

The veteran star also added, “Imagine that Australians didn’t even play their fifth bowler. The reason behind this move is that Australia wanted a longer batting unit. This means you have to score accordingly. The batting team plans to score 310-320 instead of 270-280 when a bowler has been rested.”

Ex-Pakistan star slams team for approach in opening ODI

Aiming experts who were speaking about India’s loss to New Zealand, Shehzad said, “We should care about our country more and should focus more on ourselves, rather than what the other teams are doing. It doesn’t who is doing what and which series they have lost. We can speak about it for sure but our focus should be on Pakistan and want the team to do well in the long run. When we see this timid approach then it's heartbreaking and it was important to win.”

Australian seamer Mitchell Starc hailed Pat Cummins for his match-defining knock which helped the team win. Starc as quoted by the Roar said, "Now he's got his eyes fixed. We've been arguing for a couple of years, well, I've been arguing that he should be batting above me. So, he's cemented that, I hope. But, a fantastic way for him to bring it home."

Both teams now move on to Adelaide where the second ODI match will be played on Friday. This will be followed by the final game of the series which is slated to take place on Sunday in Perth. Naseem Shah is doubtful for the after hobbling off the park clutching his hamstring while bowling his 8th over.