Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman slammed for lacking game awareness

Wasim Akram emphasized importance of revamping team, blaming Rizwan for trying a big shot against Bumrah

KARACHI:

Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis expressed disappointment with Pakistan's batsmen, particularly Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, following their narrow six-run loss to India at the T20 World Cup in New York.

Akram, a former Pakistan captain, criticized the team's inability to chase down a modest target of 120, leading to their second consecutive defeat. He called for a significant overhaul of the team, singling out Rizwan for attempting an ill-advised big shot against Bumrah, resulting in a crucial dismissal.

Expressing frustration, Akram remarked that despite years of experience, players like Rizwan lacked game awareness. He emphasized that Rizwan should have recognized Bumrah's role in taking wickets and played his deliveries more cautiously.

Echoing Akram's sentiments, Waqar Younis highlighted Rizwan's costly error, noting that his dismissal shifted the momentum in India's favor. He described Rizwan's shot as "ordinary" and foresaw trouble once he got out.

Rizwan's dismissal, especially at a crucial juncture during Bumrah's second spell, proved detrimental to Pakistan's chances of recovery.

Akram also criticized Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman, suggesting that the players' lack of urgency stemmed from a belief that poor performance only affects the coaches, not themselves. He lamented Iftikhar’s limited batting repertoire and Zaman's apparent indifference to improving his game awareness.

In Akram's view, Pakistani players seemed complacent, assuming that underperforming would lead to coaches being sacked while they remained unaffected. He called for retaining the coaches but advocated for a complete overhaul of the team.