Pakistan Cricket
Former cricketers blame improper player selection for Pakistan's poor show in Champions Trophy
Pakistan's early exit from the Champions Trophy has drawn massive criticism from former cricketers who feel the team needs a complete overhaul.
Pakistan was defending the title that it had won in 2017 by beating India in the final.
Pakistan lost both their matches against New Zealand and then India, leaving with no other chance to qualify further after the Kiwis beat Bangladesh in the Group A stage clash on Monday.
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Pakistan will now face Bangladesh in their final Group league match.
The match remains inconsequential since both teams have been knocked out of the 50-over tournament.
Former fast bowler Salim Altaf expressed disappointment over Pakistan's performance in the tournament.
He told Dawn News: "This team needs a total overhaul. There is no spark in batting, bowling, and fielding.”
“Their body languages are showing perhaps they are fed-up with cricket," he said.
Also Read: Rachin Ravindra's responsible 112 helps New Zealand beat Bangladesh by five wickets in Champions Trophy clash, Pakistan knocked out
1992-World Cup winning team member and former captain Wasim Akram questioned the selection of spinners like Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha to the squad.
He told the newspaper, "We have been crying that this squad is not good."
Slamming the team's performance against India on Sunday, former pacer Shoaib Akhtar told Dawn News: "What the Pakistan team displayed against India, even that is not a type of club cricket."
“Perhaps we are wrong that we are expecting high-level games from average cricketers,” he said.
Ex-captain Shahid Afridi said Pakistan needed a more balanced squad for the tournament which marked the return of ICC event to the South Asian nation after a gap of 29 years.
“All the teams participating in the ICC Champions Trophy came here with a perfect selection, combination and planning, but we should have another special spinner, opener and all-rounder sitting on the bench, but we made mistakes in the selection,” he told Dawn News.
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