‘Eating 8 kg mutton every day, no fitness test’: Wasim Akram after Pakistan’s ‘embarrassing’ loss

Wasim Akram blasted Team Pakistan's fitness levels

With Pakistan’s future in the World Cup hanging in balance after the team’s shock defeat to Afghanistan, former cricketer Wasim Akram pulled no punches in criticising the Men in Green.

The eight-wicket loss on Monday was Pakistan's third defeat on the trot after starting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with back-to-back wins. The stunning defeat has pushed Pakistan on the brink of elimination as they will need to win all their remaining four matches to be sure of a semi-final berth.

Against Afghanistan, Babar Azam's men were sloppy in fielding, especially at the boundary and in conceding a couple of overthrows. The manner of their defeat left Pakistani fans fuming, including former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram.

Legendary pacer @wasimakramlive lashes out at the Pakistan cricket team following their upset defeat against Afghanistan.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #ThePavilion #CWC23 #ShoaibMalik #MoinKhan #FakhreAlam #MisbahUlHaq #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/RZSaVDSXIS

— ASports (@asportstvpk) October 23, 2023

“It was embarrassing today. To reach 280-odd losing just two wickets is pretty big,” said Akram. “Wet pitch or no, look at the fielding, and the fitness levels. We’ve been screaming for the last 3 weeks that these players haven’t undergone a fitness test in the last two years.

“If I start taking individual names, their faces will drop. Looks like these guys are eating 8 kilos of mutton every day. Should there not be tests?” he asked.

Akram went on to say that players have a responsibility towards their country. “Professionally you guys are getting paid, playing for your country. There has to be a certain criteria. Misbah, when he was coach, had that criteria. Players hated him but it worked. Fielding is all about fitness and that’s where we are lacking. Now we have reached that same position, where we will pray for ifs and buts to happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said his players showed lack of attitude while fielding and they need extra effort in that department of the game.

“Whenever you do fielding, it is only with attitude. And I don't see any attitude from the team. You need to put in extra effort and be fit,” Babar said at the post-match press conference, echoing Akram’s concerns about the team’s fitness levels.

(With inputs from PTI)