‘If you have this approach, you will struggle to even beat Netherlands’ – Kamran Akmal slams Pakistan following humiliating loss against India

Legendary Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal slammed Babar Azam and Co. for his dismal outing in the Asia Cup Super Four stage clash against India. The Men in Green were outplayed by 228 runs by their arch-rivals in the rain-marred clash at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Batting first, India posted 356 runs, thanks to KL Rahul and Virat Kohli’s centuries. Prior to the centuries, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill created a remarkable 121-run partnership for the opening wicket. Later, Kuldeep Yadav (5/25) spearheaded India’s bowling attack as the Men in Blue folded Pakistan at 128 in 32 overs. 

Akmal stated that Babar Azam and Co. will even struggle to overcome the Netherlands at the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India if they continue to perform like this. The 41-year-old lashed out at Pakistan’s decision to bat first after winning the toss and also criticized the batters.
 
“If you want a good performance in World Cup, if you want to play in Asia Cup final, and if you have this approach, you will struggle to even beat Netherlands. What is the management doing? Who told you to bowl first? At least tell players to stay on the crease. Your run rate has suffered badly. You chased 190-odd runs in 40-odd overs against Bangladesh,” Akmal said on his official YouTube channel.

Played like an inexperienced team: Akmal 

He further insisted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has to look into Pakistan’s performance and should have been proactive in telling the players to play for net run rate (NRR). He continued by saying, Pakistan was performing like an inexperienced team, comparing them with school boys.
 
“Send messages. The way Shadab, Iftikhar, Salman got out. You had to tell them to play the full overs, take the score to at least 260-280. They know the PCB won’t ask them tough questions. There’s no game plan, no approach. Everyone has gone for holidays. I’m sorry to say, you’ve performed like school boys against a top team,” he added.