‘Rawalpindi pitch leke nahi ghoom saktey’ – Shoaib Akhtar rips into Pakistan’s batting after shambolic loss to West Indies

Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has blasted the Pakistani side in the aftermath of their disappointing showings in the ODI series against West Indies. The Men in Green recently lost their first ODI series against West Indies since 1991 after getting bundled out for just 92 in the series-deciding clash, losing the encounter by a mammoth 202-run margin.

Akhtar accused the batting line-up for not playing with the intention to win and rather for securing their own spot in the side. The cricketer-turned-commentator emphasized the need for a change in approach and overall dressing room culture. The ex-pacer highlighted how the Pakistani batters seemed to be facing excessive issues with the ball seaming around.

“We used to have expressive and explosive talent, and we played like that. We were never dependent on one individual, everyone chipped in. No one used to look for escape routes. The environment has changed, and in the last 10-15 years, everyone has started playing for themselves. Everyone is playing for their averages. The intent should be to win matches for your country,” shared Akhtar while speaking on the Game On Hai show.

“We need to change the intent, the mindset, and create that atmosphere. You need to play according to modern cricket. How hard is that to understand? Halka sa seam hota hai toh museebat pad jaati hai (The ball moves a bit and they seem that they are in trouble). Rawalpindi pitch leke nahi ghoom sakte (You can’t carry Rawalpindi pitches everywhere), commented the 50-year-old.

Pakistan disappointed their supporters by putting in an underwhelming performance in the final ODI of the three-match series against the Men in Maroon. Only two players (Salman Agha and Mohammad Nawaz) were able to cross the 20-run mark.

The 202-run thumping was also Pakistan’s fourth-heaviest defeat in their ODI cricket history. A scorching career-best spell by Jayden Seales (6/18 in 7.2 overs) proved to be too hot to handle for the Mohammad Rizwan-led visitors.