‘Eating 8 kilos of mutton everyday, should there not be tests’ – Wasim Akram slams Pakistan’s ODI World Cup 2023 squad for their fitness
Wasim Akram (Source: Twitter)
Despite getting a good start with two back-to-back wins in the tournament, Pakistan has not had an impressive run in the ODI World Cup 2023 till now. Pakistan has lost three back-to-back matches in the league stage of the tournament against India, Australia and now Afghanistan. Afghanistan beat Pakistan by eight wickets after chasing a target of 283 runs in 49 overs.
Pakistan currently stands in the fifth position on the points table of the ODI World Cup with four points as they won their first two matches against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play the next match against South Africa on 27th October at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Pakistan’s former bowler Wasim Akram recently got candid on A Sports to talk about the Pakistani squad’s poor fitness and fielding which has cost them multiple matches in the ODI World Cup. Akram highlighted that the players are eating 8kgs of protein but still lack fitness.
Wasim Akram on Pakistan’s performance in the ODI World Cup 2023
“It was embarrassing today. To reach 280-odd losing just two wickets is pretty big. Wet pitch or not, look at the fielding, and the fitness levels. We’ve been screaming for the last 3 weeks that these players haven’t undergone a fitness test in the last two years. If I start taking individual names, their faces will drop. Looks like these guys are eating 8 kilos of mutton every day. Should there not be tests,” said Wasim Akram while talking to A Sports.
“Professionally you guys are getting paid, playing for your country. There has to be a certain criteria. Misbah, when he was coach, had that criteria. Players hated him but it worked. Fielding is all about fitness and that’s where we are lacking. Now we have reached that same position, where we will pray for ifs and buts to happen”, he said.
“We were excited we were No. 1 but man, come on! Last 6-8 months, we had one chairman. And once he came on board for 3-4 months, he straightaway changed the coaching staff. We reached the final last year. But out of the blue, he came and shuffled things around. ‘Get him out, throw this person out. Get your guys in’. You guys are seniors, elder to me, but next time onward, please… whoever becomes the chairman, think about the nation”, he added.
“Wasim Khan and Ehsan Mani had worked so hard to get the high-performance centre together and build a system. They changed that too and made it into a National Coaching Centre. Not a single camp has been held there for 8 months. Why do you have to make unnecessary changes? Just leave it,” said Akram.
