Rawalpindi Express Unleashes Fury: Shoaib Akhtar Blasts Babar Azam & Management After Crushing Asia Cup Defeat

Cricket icon Shoaib Akhtar, known as the 'Rawalpindi Express' for his blistering pace, has once again lived up to his fiery reputation, unleashing a torrent of criticism on Pakistan's captain Babar Azam and the team management following their crushing defeat to arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 stage.

The former speedster expressed profound disappointment, lambasting the team for what he perceived as a 'petrified' performance and questionable leadership.

Akhtar, speaking on his YouTube channel, didn't mince words, declaring that Pakistan was 'badly thrashed' by India. His primary target was captain Babar Azam, whose leadership during the match came under intense scrutiny.

'Babar Azam's captaincy was ridiculous,' Akhtar asserted, highlighting a perceived lack of clarity and tactical acumen. He questioned Babar's decision-making, particularly concerning bowling changes and field placements, suggesting the captain appeared confused and unable to inspire his team.

The legendary bowler pointed to specific tactical errors that, in his view, contributed significantly to Pakistan's downfall.

He criticized the late reintroduction of key bowler Naseem Shah and the overreliance on Shadab Khan, whose bowling spell proved expensive and ineffective. Akhtar questioned why Shadab was given so many overs despite his struggles, suggesting a lack of alternative plans or confidence in other bowlers.

The team management and selectors also faced Akhtar's wrath for what he deemed as poor selection choices, particularly the inclusion of Faheem Ashraf, whose role and impact remained unclear.

Beyond individual decisions, Akhtar painted a grim picture of the team's overall demeanor. He observed a complete lack of confidence and poor body language on the field, contrasting sharply with India's aggressive and positive approach.

'Pakistan played like schoolchildren,' he stated emphatically, highlighting a psychological barrier that seemed to cripple the side. The fielding, a crucial aspect of limited-overs cricket, also came under heavy fire, with Shadab Khan's dropped catch being a stark example of the team's struggles under pressure.

Akhtar drew a stark comparison between the two teams' approaches, noting India's intent to dominate versus Pakistan's seemingly defensive and 'petrified' mindset.

He emphasized that in a high-stakes encounter against India, a team must play with conviction and aggression, qualities he felt were sorely missing from Pakistan's performance. The 228-run defeat, a record margin against India in ODIs, was not just a loss but a significant blow to the team's morale and reputation, according to Akhtar.

In his closing remarks, Akhtar urged for serious introspection from the Pakistan cricket board, captain, and management.

He called for accountability and a re-evaluation of strategies and personnel to ensure such a humiliating performance is not repeated. The Rawalpindi Express's impassioned critique serves as a wake-up call, underscoring the deep-seated frustrations of fans and former players alike regarding the state of Pakistan cricket after such a significant setback.