"We cannot play with this mindset and this scared team" : Shoaib Akhtar

[MenInG]

Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has blamed the country’s cricket administration for the poor show by men in green in ICC World Cup 2019. Lashing out at the Pakistan Cricket Board, the legendary cricketer said that people who understand modern-day cricket need to brought in.

In the latest video on his YouTube channel, Akhtar said that “in order to get match winners back in the team, you got to bring a match winning management”. He said that Pakistan cricket “need to really reconsider its working”.

Pointing that the team has shown an abysmal performance in the world cup, the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ urged Pakistan Prime Minister and former skipper Imran Khan to take necessary hopes in this regard.

“Our prime minister is a former cricketer and we have heard that is going to revamp the whole structure. That is what I am hoping for,” said Akhtar.

“If you want to change, you need to bring proper people who understand the game of cricket, who have played modern cricket, who have actually accomplished and not working just for money,” he added.

According to Akhtar, the Pakistani cricket team went into the world cup with a “scared mindset” and that reflected in their performance. “We cannot play with this mindset and this scared team. You need daring players who can play upfront - what used to be the character of the Pakistani team.”

Akhtar said that Pakistan now needed to play well against Bangladesh to avoid further humiliation, adding that the mess was the team’s own doing.

“This is the end of journey for Pakistan and that is because of our own faults. However, all is not lost. We need to play for our pride. Pakistan need to play well now to avoid humiliation. They need to play good game of cricket against Bangladesh,” he said, adding that “Bangladesh is going to come back hard on you”.

The former pacer also expressed disappointment at the quality of cricket in the current edition of the world cup. Akhtar said that the players today were not playing good cricket and that was evident. He further said that had there been batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting, they would have scored somewhere near 550 runs in each match.

https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/s...-debacle-urges-imran-khan-to-act-2216589.html

 

[Hawkeye]

OK Shoaib.

How about 2003 and 2007 then, when the team was not scared and fearless?

 

[JibranAnsari]

pakistan did better than what was expected of us before the world cup.

 

[miandadrules]

Said the guy who bottled it against India in 2003 and begged to be taken out of the attack.

 

[IMMY69]

Said the guy who bottled it against India in 2003 and begged to be taken out of the attack.

Did that against South Africa too and the Kiwis..

 

[IMMY69]

Poor guy missed the chance to lift the world cup in 2007.. Where was he for that tournament?

 

[big_gamer007]

Lol over hyping the past so much. 550 score? What a joke.

 

[miandadrules]

Did that against South Africa too and the Kiwis..

It’s always the ones that shout about bravery (their own) that are usually the biggest cowards.

 

[Saj]

We can paper over the cracks and look at what has happened at this World Cup, but the bottom line is that this bunch of players is simply not good enough.

There are not enough match-winners in this squad and that is the opposite of the best teams in the world.

 

[Bewal Express]

We can paper over the cracks and look at what has happened at this World Cup, but the bottom line is that this bunch of players is simply not good enough.

There are not enough match-winners in this squad and that is the opposite of the best teams in the world.

But thats been the case for 20 years. We have invested for nearly 20 years in Malik and Hafeez and we have nothing to show, and we always do this with awful odi cricketers. At the last WC it was Misbah and YK and they did bugger all.

 

[Shaddy86]

We can paper over the cracks and look at what has happened at this World Cup, but the bottom line is that this bunch of players is simply not good enough.

There are not enough match-winners in this squad and that is the opposite of the best teams in the world.

Does NZ have many match winners? 2 at most! Pakistan probably has 3+. The very first game cost us the tournament, Pakistan needs to have the Australian mentality, don't give up when you have poor starts, take the game deep like Aussies do or how they did against Afghanistan. The mental approach needs to change, we're not gonna get a whole bunch of new players or match winners over night. A full time psychologist is required to change their mental approach.

 

[Usman Chadda]

We can paper over the cracks and look at what has happened at this World Cup, but the bottom line is that this bunch of players is simply not good enough.

There are not enough match-winners in this squad and that is the opposite of the best teams in the world.

We need a solid eleven, not just match-winners. Some really poor cricketers bring the overall quality down.

Babar is a wonderful player, that is being wasted in this Pakistan team.

 

[NauV]

We can paper over the cracks and look at what has happened at this World Cup, but the bottom line is that this bunch of players is simply not good enough.

There are not enough match-winners in this squad and that is the opposite of the best teams in the world.

Fair point Saj. But what did Pakistan do when they had teams FULL of match winners . . of which Mr. Shoaib Akhtar and half of our pundits on TV were part of? As if they dominated world cricket . . Arguably, Pakistan had the most destructive line up for almost a decade . . Anwar, Inzi, Yousuf, Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib, Saqlain, Razzaq, etc. What did they do? So when they sit on these television channels and take the moral high ground, it is infuriating . .

This team, although has put up disappointing results, is comprised of cricketers that have the potential to do well for Pak over the next 4 years . . there are many things that go into preparation . . what does our ODI schedule look like for the next 2 years (it looks pretty bad)? What kinda leadership are we going to have? What kinda think tank? What kinda management? All of these areas impact team performance over a period of time . .

In Babar, Imam, Fakhar (although he has stuff to work on), Harris (if he stays fit), Shadab, Hassan, Shaheen, Amir (only 26) . . the core of our team is very solid . . we are not led well! we make stupid errors . . and then we repeat those mistakes . . we play the wrong team . . we can't get squad selection or team selection right . . whos fault is that?

I see hope! I really do . . This team is the best team we've had in the last 8 9 years . . We need a couple more good cricketers . . (numbers 5, 6 and 7) . . but what we really need is a strong captain . . a captain who is smart and make his team perform to its full potential . . we need a coaching staff under which players improve . . not regress! The amount of players taht show immense potential adn then regress in Pak is unmatched!

So yea! its not all doom and gloom! we need better management all around . . and this is where I have high hopes from Waseem Khan! I hope he can identify the right captain . . and give him the right team!

 

[Ahmed216]

Ya they're scared because they know they aren't good enough. After England game we expected them to gain momentum but i think they themselves knew it ws a fluke.
They played like school kids against Australia and India,missing so many chances dropping catches

 

[Bhaijaan]

Dear Shoaib,

Where was your bravery when Sachin smashed you to every corner of the ground in 2003 World Cup in your first over itself after which you requested Wasim bhai to take you out of the attack?

 

[Ahmed216]

Dear Shoaib,

Where was your bravery when Sachin smashed you to every corner of the ground in 2003 World Cup in your first over itself after which you requested Wasim bhai to take you out of the attack?

U cannot judge someone based on performance in 1 or 2 games.
He was a champion bowler. He destroyed oppositions when in flow. He bowled the two best balls ive ever seen to Rahul and sachin in 1999.
Some of his spells will go down as the best in cricket history.

 

[xbronze]

Lol over hyping the past so much. 550 score? What a joke.

I believe he was talking about 550 being scored between the two team in a match, and not 550 in one innings. He was commenting on the overall low quality of cricket across teams in this world cup.

 

[Usman Chadda]

U cannot judge someone based on performance in 1 or 2 games.
He was a champion bowler. He destroyed oppositions when in flow. He bowled the two best balls ive ever seen to Rahul and sachin in 1999.
Some of his spells will go down as the best in cricket history.

So?

How does this relate to Shoaib's lack of performance in World Cups?

 

[Ahmed216]

So?

How does this relate to Shoaib's lack of performance in World Cups?

1999 WC he was good.
So many players who havent performed as well in WCs doesnt mean u start rating them based on 1 or 2 poor spells. Every1 remembers the six Sachin hit but no one remembers he god Sachin in the same match

 

[Abdullah719]

Never could take him seriously as an analyst, the situation is even worse now when the whole gimmick is based on getting maximum views on his channel.

The only interesting part of his video was his dreaming of a free trade zone between Pakistan and India

 

[90MPH]

Never listen and argue with a drunk, they will take you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Pakistan have done better than expected actually, just lost some of the games badly which cost them.

Yes there is definitely some problems but that’s down to the rotten domestic structure and the system overall. That is a long term problem that can be overhauled it steps and investment are taken now and then years later we may see the results.

 

[IAJ]

So?

How does this relate to Shoaib's lack of performance in World Cups?

And what has this to do with what he is saying today? I mean if we can sit here and tell this and that surely he as a former player is entitled to his opinions no?


Assume he was poor himself, was scared, so? If he says something right today, we should accept it without directing everything to his performance.

The majority of the posts here are attacking his performances rather than commenting on what he said. At least he has done something for the country, what have we done?


And when people talk about fastest bowlers in the World every pakistani jumps in proudly and mentions Shoaib's name.

My post is not only to you, I just saw your post was last so just quoted it

 

[Usman Chadda]

1999 WC he was good.
So many players who havent performed as well in WCs doesnt mean u start rating them based on 1 or 2 poor spells. Every1 remembers the six Sachin hit but no one remembers he god Sachin in the same match

Then he should either keep quiet or offer constructive criticism.

This attention-seeking is stupid since he himself has not done wonders in his playing career.

 

[Hawkeye]

Dear Shoaib,

Where was your bravery when Sachin smashed you to every corner of the ground in 2003 World Cup in your first over itself after which you requested Wasim bhai to take you out of the attack?

Maybe you should ask Sachin that, when he got out on a first ball duck.

 

[xbronze]

Never could take him seriously as an analyst, the situation is even worse now when the whole gimmick is based on getting maximum views on his channel.

The only interesting part of his video was his dreaming of a free trade zone between Pakistan and India

Ironically, that part may be the most significant comment in that video as well. Seriously, just think about it for a moment. If two of the most populated nations on the planet were to have real free trade between them imagine the allround progress and prosperity on both sides that will impact every corner of INDIA PAK economies.

Cricket would also be impacted favorably by this, especially Pakistan cricket. Who knows in such a dreamworld one day BCCI may invest billions in the cricket infrastructure and talent of Pakistan (expecting monetary returns of course). It has happened in various nations across the globe where free trade and mutual investments have brought barriers down and raised standards of sports and life overall.

 

[Ahmed216]

Then he should either keep quiet or offer constructive criticism.

This attention-seeking is stupid since he himself has not done wonders in his playing career.

I dont know what u mean by doing wonders.
He was a very good bowler thts it and his record too speaks for him.
One thing i'll never associste with him is lack of courage.

 

[xbronze]

I dont know what u mean by doing wonders.
He was a very good bowler thts it and his record too speaks for him.
One thing i'll never associste with him is lack of courage.

I admire him a lot as well. However the fact remains that after Sachin smashed him in 2003 World Cup he requested Akram to have himself removed from the attack.

 

[Hitman]

I admire him a lot as well. However the fact remains that after Sachin smashed him in 2003 World Cup he requested Akram to have himself removed from the attack.

He requested Waqar, who was the captain. Not Akram.

 

[adit_sh]

Pakistan did not qualify for the following reasons
. Bundled for 100 against WI
. Bottled the Australia match
. Knew NRR was bad but never tried to improve against SA/NZ/Afg
. Luckily they got the chance to sneak in when SL bt Eng

India Vs Eng
. Ofcourse India should have shown some intent to chase down 336. Dhoni and Jadhav did not even try in the last 6-7 overs is a shame and I am extremely disappointed with Indian effort. 60 balls - 100 runs was not impossible. Criticize Dhoni for not trying, or for not shown the intent, Criticize Shami for not bowling those yorkers in the last overs for costing the extra 20 runs, criticize Rohit/Kohli for not scoring the extra 15-20 runs inth first 10 overs. Fair. However dont resort to the accusation of dropping the match because they dont want to see Pak in last 4. I dont think Indian team or any other team would do that. Could they do the same if that was a knock out ? may be not and hence 'Tankeed' on cricket is absolutely acceptable.

NZ Vs Eng
This is a slightly different game. NZ did not even go for a win after 15 overs. They probably wanted to play safe. Fair point. However why would they think of Pakistan than securing themselves in the SF first up. Why would they both conspire against pakistan ? They could have bowled out for less than a 100 and they just avoided that.

There is huge probability that India or NZ would lose SF and Eng may go on to lift their maiden cup and they truly deserve that with this team.

Sorry folks some of the criticism is unwarranted in PP.

 

[j_kazmi]

Shoaib Akthar doesn’t have the insight in to the game like some other ‘pundits’ do so he says crap like that.

It isn’t about fearlessness or bravery a lot of these cricketers aren’t good enough. We only have 4-5 decent cricketers who have the potential to be ok players one day.

Babar is the only one who is really good and can potentially become a Pakistan ATG one day.

 

[dhump]

I only wish and hope that current lot of players have better mindset than Shoaib, Rashid and co most of their statements are utterly disappointing and clueless.

 

[Kroll]

Does NZ have many match winners? 2 at most! Pakistan probably has 3+. The very first game cost us the tournament, Pakistan needs to have the Australian mentality, don't give up when you have poor starts, take the game deep like Aussies do or how they did against Afghanistan. The mental approach needs to change, we're not gonna get a whole bunch of new players or match winners over night. A full time psychologist is required to change their mental approach.

Which match winners do we have? It's a team full of mediocre and average to good players at best.

 

[Saj]

Fair point Saj. But what did Pakistan do when they had teams FULL of match winners . . of which Mr. Shoaib Akhtar and half of our pundits on TV were part of? As if they dominated world cricket . . Arguably, Pakistan had the most destructive line up for almost a decade . . Anwar, Inzi, Yousuf, Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib, Saqlain, Razzaq, etc. What did they do? So when they sit on these television channels and take the moral high ground, it is infuriating . .

If we are talking about World Cups only, they reached a final in 1999 which is more than this lot have done.

 

[hafizexpress]

I don't know why so many people are freaking out over this world cup. Pakistan did pretty decent. They just missed the top 4 and nobody really expected them there anyway.

Besides playing badly at times, some things didn't go their way like the washed up match against Sri Lanka, which dented their momentum.

 

[zamana]

If we are talking about World Cups only, they reached a final in 1999 which is more than this lot have done.

We should appreciate Pakistan cricket and the joy it brings us. No doubt there are periods of despair. Pakistan has done well over the years with a World Cup in 1992, T20 World Cup in 2009 and Champions Trophy in 2017. If we want greater success, we need to make our domestic structure competitive, wickets sporting, selection meritorious and daring and management modern and smarter. Hoping the restructuring of Pakistan cricket will develop and facilitate all these aspects. At least we have some trophies for our efforts. Imagine what SA, England, the current WI fans have to go through!

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Our ex cricketers have nothing other than to praise themselves

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Shoaib and his usual daily blabber is getting boring now. Phainta laga do, hamare zamane main badmaashi se khelte the blah blah, Imran khan 1992 etc etc. Typical subcontinental trait of obsession with personalities, being stuck in past and lack of respect towards professionalism. It would be great for Pak cricket if Shoaib etc admit that Pakistan at the moment don't have batsman who are good enough for modern cricket. They can't play positive run a ball cricket without slogging. Kohli, Rohit, Kane, Warner, Butler etc these guys are tailor made for modern cricket. Anytime Pak doesn't do well, there are talks about "we have the best talent in the world but we are unpredictable". As if its upto Pak when they want to play well or not. It is disrespectful towards the opposition. It is also unprofessional attitude to take pride in being inconsistent. I will get fired from my job if i am unpredictable. Things can improve only when you first admit your mistakes.

 

[saabir]

He is right. U cannot won the WC with just 2 good batsman. Baring Babar and Haris rest were on and off. Bowling was just decent not great by any means.

 

[usmankhanmlg]

He is right. U cannot won the WC with just 2 good batsman. Baring Babar and Haris rest were on and off. Bowling was just decent not great by any means.

Agreed 100%. Also, if the team is not that high quality, the captaincy has to be even better to make the team punch above their weight. Here, Pakistan have the exact opposite in Sarfaraz - someone who drags the team down with him in terms of attitude, performance and also fitness standards.

 

[indianpanacea]

Agreed with shoaib for some extent..
Experienced payers haven't performed and youngster not played..(Husnain)
I guess both Husnain and shoaib are on excursion to England...i can't understand how selectors ignored shoaibs previous record in England which is abysmal...
There are bits and pieces players like imad,shahzad,Hafeez,shoaib in squad which is utter nonsense.
Pakistan need to take the bull by the horn and only either batters or bowlers played and make them accountable in their specialization at least in tests and ODIs and park these bits and pieces for T20's...
Seriously there is no accountability for the trade players specialize and send fakhar and imam back to domestic to improve their consistency and strike rate respectively...
Better to introduce few fresh legs along with seniors
Haider Ali
Babar
Umar Akmal
Haris sohail
Rohail Nazir
Fakhar zaman
Amir
Nasim shah
Husnain
Umar khan
Shaheen
Extras
Musa
Zafar gouhar
Rizwan
Talat Hussain
Ahsan ali
Stick with this squad for at least 20 ODIs and inshaallah this will be a world beater side

 

[hitthestump]

Shoaib had several disciplinary issues as a player but that doesn't mean his opinion should be mocked everytime he opens his mouth.

If anything he is the man with experience. Now that he has clearly matured, his opinion should be sought to ensure that the mistakes that were made during his period as a player don't happen again.

 

[hisham_ashraf]

Shoaib Akhtar,Sikander Bakht,Basit Ali, Mohammad Yousuf,Javed Miandad and the list goes on and on.
There actually should not be a thread here regarding what these guys say.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

We can paper over the cracks and look at what has happened at this World Cup, but the bottom line is that this bunch of players is simply not good enough.

There are not enough match-winners in this squad and that is the opposite of the best teams in the world.

Neither do NZ. Apart from the top 3 qualified teams, NZ, Pak and Bangladesh were very closely seperated.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

We can paper over the cracks and look at what has happened at this World Cup, but the bottom line is that this bunch of players is simply not good enough.

There are not enough match-winners in this squad and that is the opposite of the best teams in the world.

Well all that needed was a heavy thumping win from India. Since then the right combination was found, passengers kept at bay.. Every single department come into serious business time...

Why cant this be happened earlier..

I have always said that Pakistan can win any match and against any team if they select the right 11 and also the right batting order to be precise..


I feel the induction of Inzi in UK for CWC who was a poor selector of players for his own 11 has triggered the waqars failure approach running horses for course and never find a settled unit...

 

[Abdullah]

If we are talking about World Cups only, they reached a final in 1999 which is more than this lot have done.

Yes but that was our ATG team, and it may not seem like it, this lot was not too far off.
Towards the end we looked bloody good. Even the Afghan game , to win it like that shows resolve.
I would back us putting 300 on the board against any team that is left and have a serious go at defending it 8 times out of 10
We were on a roll

 

[ayemgilani86]

So?

How does this relate to Shoaib's lack of performance in World Cups?

what are you smoking he was the talk of the 1999 WC, even 2011 world cup he was good if not for Kamran Akmal, and he won us matches single handedly, shocking to see comments criticizing shoaib but always defending this lot of players who just play for their averages

 

[MenInG]

Happy 44th Birthday to the 'fearless' One!