New Delhi [India]Former cricketer Kamran Akmal has slammed the Pakistan team for their unprecedented defeat to the United States in the ongoing T20 World Cup, describing the defeat as the “biggest insult” to the team.
At the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Pakistan suffered a shock defeat to co-hosts USA in a nail-biting match decided in a Super Over.
Pakistan was outplayed in every aspect by the Americans and against all odds they lost to them in the opening match of the campaign.
Akmal slammed Pakistan’s performance and said there could be no greater insult to the team than this defeat.
“The biggest insult to Pakistan cricket is losing the Super Over. There can be no greater insult than this. USA played exceptionally well. It didn’t feel like they were a lower-ranked team. It felt like they were ranked higher than Pakistan. That’s the maturity they showed,” Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
“They played better cricket than us and so they deserved to win. The face of our cricket has been revealed. It shows how we are taking our cricket forward,” he added.
Pakistan were in control for a time, but managed to defend 15 runs by reducing the number of boundaries they had to defend in the final over.
Haris Rauf brought it down to needing five off the final ball before Nitish Kumar hit it over the fence to take the match to a Super Over, where Pakistan fell five runs short and the USA won against one of the favourites to win the tournament.
“It is a shameful performance by the Pakistan cricket team. It is one thing to lose to a strong team like England, it is one thing to lose when you put up a good fight against the opposition, but it is disappointing to lose to a team with fewer games played,” Akmal said.
“The embarrassing thing about this defeat is that we first drew the match and then lost it in the Super Over. It’s a day we will never forget,” he added.
Pakistan’s team selection has come under scrutiny since the defeat, with former cricketers, including former Pakistan Cricket Board president Ramiz Raja, questioning the team selection process.
Akmal slammed the management and alleged that the selection process was based on the likes and dislikes of some members.
“Players are selected on likes and dislikes. A player has performed well in the Caribbean Premier League, why has he not performed well in the last three series?” Akmal argued.
Pakistan will take on arch rivals India on Sunday at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
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