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We lost because of brainless captaincy: Shoaib Akhtar lashes out at Pakistan's cricket team
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We lost because of brainless captaincy: Shoaib Akhtar lashes out at Pakistan's cricket team

In a video message recorded after the match, Akhtar presented his own analysis of what went wrong on the pitch.
Images Staff
Updated 18 Jun, 2019

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has something to say about the match Pakistan lost against India this Sunday - and it's not pretty.

In a video message recorded after the match, Akhtar presented his own analysis of what went wrong on the pitch.

He doesn't mince any words for the Pakistani cricket team, starting from the point that captain Sarfaraz Ahmed should have chosen to bat first once he had won the toss.

"How can a captain be so brainless? He didn't even think that we do not chase well?" He then addressed Sarfaraz directly, saying, "Knowing that our strength is not batting, it's bowling... when we won the toss we had won half the match then and there, but what did you do? You tried your hardest that we should not win the match. So yet again, brainless captaincy, brainless management. There was no thinking, all the players were on dimensional... but again, the toss was very crucial to win it. And on that, even if we had made 260, we would have been able to defend it."

He also had words for bowler Hassan Ali, saying: "What mindset was he playing with? The mindset that 'I should continue playing in T20, that I should be a PSL player, I should keep getting contracts in PSL. I don't know what he wants to achieve."

He moved on, saying: "I got 3 players out on this very ground. Because I performed match-winning bowling." He reminded everyone that Pakistan's biggest players including Shahid Afridi could not win a match while chasing a target on this very ground in 1999, which proves that Pakistan has a bad history of chasing targets. "It's very saddening and this is a disheartening performance by a Pakistani team captain... he should have used his brain, but he tried really hard to not use it," he added.

Akhtar also praised the Indian team, saying: "When India came to play, Rohit Sharma batted very strongly. When he makes 100, he makes a very strong 100."

Comments

Gordon D. Walker Jun 18, 2019 12:18pm
Far, far to harsh commentary on hapless great shirts... Gordon D. Walker Canada
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Gaurav Jun 18, 2019 12:31pm
Guys ...You are reacting too much...It was just a game...Focus on better things like economy and science
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Asif Kashmiri Jun 18, 2019 12:34pm
totally agreed!
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Ilyas Jun 18, 2019 12:42pm
Truly said..
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haris Jun 18, 2019 12:42pm
Dear Mr. Akhter, If you bring Imran Khan, Mark Waugh, Clive Lloyd etc to take charge of this Pakistani team, you'll get the same result. Batting first or second doesn't make a difference. The need of the hour is to change the mindset, approach among players and overall domestic structure of Cricket in the country.
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Dr. Khan, Chicago Jun 18, 2019 12:43pm
This failure reflects on the shortcoming of our education system, which is based on purely memorization of facts, and not on developing critical thinking and problem solving skills!
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Iskander Gilani Jun 18, 2019 12:50pm
All those ex-players bashing the current Pakistan cricket team as such they have won the world Cup matches against India. It's like kettle calling pot black.
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thinking Jun 18, 2019 12:57pm
Why are all former cricketers so saddened with the loss, if this is just another game? These cricketers themselves hype Pak-India match so much that common man also feels the hatred towards the other country.
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SMI Jun 18, 2019 01:00pm
He is right but now it is Past !! Move forward and forget it criticising is easy so better avoid and guide team if u can for future matches
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Crackers Jun 18, 2019 01:02pm
Shoaib should look back and see India/Pakistan match of previous world cups when Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib, Inzi, Yunus, Yusuf, Saeed Anwar, Saqlain and other "great" players were playing. Didn't they get the similar treatment from India in the World cups.
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Bobby Khan Jun 18, 2019 01:06pm
You are wrong. Where is the skill and technique to win a match? Winning one match out of ten is not a national side. You can't win a match only with brain.
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Mansoor Nasir Jun 18, 2019 01:15pm
Pakistan lost to a better team. Pakistan was playing tactically to win by DL method which was a defeatist approach, as they felt inferior and did not play brave cricket. Not even a single expert actually wanted to bat first except Shoaib but with hind sight even Shoaib has become an expert.`
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Pak uk Jun 18, 2019 01:32pm
It’s not a secret. Hafeez sarfaraz Malik and others get away but we just only like bashing likes of Umar Akmal.
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karr Jun 18, 2019 01:34pm
Partially agree. Sarfaraz started yelling at his team mates right from 1st over. Poor captaincy material. But you cant just blame the option of bowling first. Pakistan should be prepared to bat or ball first and still win. You cant expect that factor to decide your victory at this leve.
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Karachi wala Jun 18, 2019 01:35pm
I agree with Shoib Akhtar that we have never been a good chasers even our so called glory days. However, with current trajectory, mindset, skill and fitness level, I do not think it would have made any difference whether batting first or last.
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Lucknow Jun 18, 2019 01:41pm
Easier to criticize, as if changing the captain will make a volte face in Pak's culture. And regarding Hassan Ali - where were these advise when Shoaib was taken to cleaners in 2003 by Sachin/Sehwag.
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mirza Jun 18, 2019 02:08pm
Totally agree this captain and the selector must be changed. in fact right now and make some one else captain.
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Gordon D. Walker Jun 18, 2019 02:13pm
Big deal! Nothing but a game... Relax! Gordon D, Walker Canada
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Shahid - Denmark Jun 18, 2019 02:18pm
I couldn't agree more to what Shoaib says but with one addition, that the decision to bowl first must have been taken together by the coach, the captain and the chief selector. They had done the same against Australia and had found the wicket to be a batting paradise and yet they repeated the mistake. On Sarfraz' part, I find him to be a pessimist and filled with fear for his own place in the team. He wasn't concerned when our bowlers, second match running, went on to bowl wrong lengths and leg lines for extended periode of time. He did not seem to speak to any of these bowlers and exert his authority and his body language was sluggish and defeated. He has many wrong decisions to his name which may have cost us match, one of them being placing Asif Ali in slips while Baber Azam, the slip specialist fielding on the boundary. Lastly, it adds to the pain as in both the matches his batting was a disgrace to the Pakistan team and limited over cricket.
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Demagogue Jun 18, 2019 02:24pm
It is very easy to criticise and make news by giving derogatory comments on others performance. If I remember correctly, Shoaib Akhtar also suffered from brainlessness most of the time when he was playing. He has conveniently forgotten!!
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Dr Rashid Ansari Jun 18, 2019 02:25pm
One thing is clear that there is no match òf Pakistan team with India. India is a superior outfit in all the departments of the game. Sarfraz is a brainless captain, even though he had used his brain, India would have defeated Pakistan. May be with a lesser margin but defeat was written there. I would suggest that Pakistan should work hard a d concentrate on their skills and talents. They should realize that even low ranking teams may defeat them in this world cup. Regards Dr Rashid Ansari
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Mahmud Jun 18, 2019 02:25pm
Smart after the fact. Cricket experts had recommended that if Pakistan won the toss, it should bowl first. Blame the Selectors and Management. Night out before the crucial match! How dumb can you be!! No discipline and control.
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Adrodo Jun 18, 2019 02:44pm
@Shahid - Denmark Sarfaraz was batting according to the situation in Australia match. In fact he was the one guiding Riaz and Hassan to hit out when there was a collapse. And they almost won. People would have praised him had Pak won. We need to understand the game first.
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IMTIAZ Jun 18, 2019 02:45pm
Being wise after the event is no-brainer. Tell us what should Sarfaraz do after winning the toss against Bangladesh, keeping in mind that BD has reputation for successful chases and they achieved record chase of this WC in just 40 overs.
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Donie Jun 18, 2019 02:52pm
Sarfraz took money to let India bat first him and his manager should be investigated.
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M. Saeed Jun 18, 2019 02:56pm
Big money injection in cricket has obviously harmed our team very seriously.
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ahmedj Jun 18, 2019 03:01pm
early Sarfaraz wins were capitalised on Misbah's sheer hard work and dedication where the former captain had build the team and handed it over to the new captain. Sarfaraz has continuously brought the team down. He doesn't have the personality to lead but may remain as an ordinary player.
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Think Jun 18, 2019 03:11pm
Shoaib , don't forget that you are a part of this 0-7 score line.
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Zak Jun 18, 2019 03:22pm
Good solid analysis of what went wrong.
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Raja Farhat Abbas Jun 18, 2019 03:29pm
I Completely agree with Shoaib Akhtar.
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just_saying Jun 18, 2019 03:41pm
So called experts are still in past. Pak stregth is Batting now. Gone are days when they had some good bowlers. Current lot is not even average
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Moin Jun 18, 2019 04:09pm
We lost because of lack of talent due to a broken cricket system. Lack of accountability is another problem, but that's a cultural issue not just in cricket.
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Ahmed Jun 18, 2019 04:42pm
Shoiab was a useless player for Pakistani team. No brain just speed
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MUSLIM MEDINA Jun 18, 2019 04:45pm
Shoiab Akhtar appears to have personal dislike of Sarfraz. As winning is a team effort so is losing should be blamed on whole team including officials and not just one person.
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Programmingdrone Jun 18, 2019 04:57pm
As is Shoaib won against India in WC. I guess if they batted first, the same crowd would have been complaining of how they should have bowled first. The total in this game was not impossible to achieve had Hafeez and Malik has batted well. The positives are that Pakistani openers are not going for a duck each anymore. At least for the last two or three matches, they get the score above 100
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Kulbhushan Jun 18, 2019 04:58pm
So all those times when Pakistan lost to India in World Cup, were also because of brainless captains, including the one in 1992???
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Ga Jun 18, 2019 05:19pm
@Demagogue I agree. I recall Shoaib Akhtar repeating the same bowling action over and over expecting different results. I recall Misbah battingbTuk Tuk during powerplay. They have no right to criticize. But yes, Sarfraz was just not in the game
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Rahul Sharma Jun 18, 2019 05:34pm
That's all rubbish, easy to target others. What happened in 2002 when Pak made 271, you had more lethal bowling attack that time Wasim, Was at, Akhtar, Razzak. You are the one who denied bowling just 5th over of the India innings, afraid to bowl to Sachin and Sehwag.
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Sid Jun 18, 2019 05:36pm
@Shahid - Denmark that’s because he is apparently being undermined by inzimam, who wants him out. All professionals agree Pakistan made the right choice to bowl first but their bowlers didn’t show up except Amir...
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jun 18, 2019 05:42pm
He is 100 percent right.
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fairplay Jun 18, 2019 05:47pm
@Demagogue agree , he is a has been and was overweight, smoking, and perhaps worse when he was bowling in the green. Undisciplined as always, he just wants to be in the limelight.
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Vijay, Salem Jun 18, 2019 05:52pm
Imagine the reactions if Pakistan chose to bat first on a pitch conducive for fast bowling and lost the match.I think Pakistan would lost anyway.
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Saye Jun 18, 2019 06:12pm
Inclusions of some players are not based on performances and merits. Despite Sohaib Malik consecutive failure was alarming yet he was included in the team. Hasan Ali is done. Pakistan needs all rounder all the way to the list of 9 th players. No grouping and any body found to be in politics and grouping should be out irrespective of any status .
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haris Jun 18, 2019 06:15pm
Whether we Bat first or Bowl first, the result would have been same. The problem lies elsewhere and that's must be addressed. I don't buy the idea of batting first would increase chances of winning. Bangladesh chased a huge total of 322 with 9 overs to spare and only lost 3 wickets. They were against a good bowling side West Indies under overcast conditions.
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Adi Jun 18, 2019 06:34pm
We lost becuase we are a consistently immature team for last decades. Accept the reality and you were no exception.
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PatelD Jun 18, 2019 06:34pm
The frustration is understandable for the past member of the test matches. Former bowler is obviously has bias favor for bowling. In a sports event, any decision after a toss has no more a security towards getting better chance of winning. That is the exciting mystery of the sports. I am sure Pakistan is not the only team that chose batting and lost. Based on history, one can look at the statistics and if there is overwhelming evidence of significantly more bowling choices have resulted in winning, then everybody will do just that. I am sure that Shoaibji has better insight for winning strategy. However, if the outcomes can be predicted correctly, then no one would be interested in watching the game. So, it is better to just have sportsman spirit and move on with better preparation next time. That is the real fun of sports events. Keep up the winning spirit because the loss of a game is not the end of the world.
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sam Jun 18, 2019 06:41pm
During your period, how many time Pakistan won world cup or how many time you were leading the paksitan team.
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SMI Jun 18, 2019 06:43pm
Win or loose no problem but fight to win like corner tiger
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Texan Jun 18, 2019 07:22pm
We lost tournament because of selection. Years of persisting with batsmen lik Asif Ali, Shoib Malik,.... who have no business of playing in english conditions. There are better batsmen in Pakistan.
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Faisal Jun 18, 2019 07:23pm
Everyone, should be held accountable, weather its Sarfaraz, couch, players, or the selector. The missed catches really bite. Although, this convenient second guessing has to stop by people who are there to seek attention for their own benefit.
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Farhan saeed Jun 18, 2019 07:31pm
This team is out of order.please replace all of them to new ones
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Fareed N Jun 18, 2019 07:36pm
Most undisciplined,controversial player Shoaib Akhtar lecturing us why Pakistan lost the match. Please spare us.
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Ali Jun 18, 2019 07:52pm
How come with such big head you were never able to achieve the feat yourself with the greatest Pakistani team of all times. I dont know enough cricket to comment on it technically but I dont think batting first would have bore a different result.
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Shahid Jun 18, 2019 07:53pm
Why blame 'brainless'? Blame and criticize the 'brain(s)' responsible for installing not only a non-captain capacity individual at such a critical position but also batsman, bowler and 'experienced old timers' into this team and above it.
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Asim Shah Jun 18, 2019 08:05pm
I agree with Shoaib that all blames go to captain as a common phrase "Heads are made to be chopped" but other reality is such, we never had event like IPL in our country, where we could face all the world class players for many years which could improve our cricket standard on a different heights, what we have is only PSL where no current cream of cricket participated in comparison with IPL, so grooming part of their players has taken place in India which resulted in giving them fruits for a bit long time. Other front, IPL is so much commercially hyped supported by Indian companies and we dont have such level of support considering our economy.
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Manzoor Jun 18, 2019 08:06pm
Sarfaraz is a good human being but to be a good captain he also need to perform regularly and fight from the front.Considering overall performance of last several months it ia also clear that the is not getting proper ptofessional background support and somehow they failed to improve the team,s performance that,s a total rearrangment of the management is essential for the team.England did the same after the last world cup.
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Hyder Jun 18, 2019 08:25pm
sir Another nonsensical statement from Shoaib Akhtar despite knowing very well that Chief Selector Inzimam Ul Haq is acting outside his domain by arriving in England and is seen interfering in the team selection and training sessions. Who has authorised Inzimam to interfere in England is the question that must be asked instead of falsely accusing the captain??? Thanks
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Nahid Hussain Jun 18, 2019 08:25pm
I am from Manchester and tell you that you cannot win a match tired. These players were eating burgers at Jilani's on Wilmslow Road, The Curry Mile in Manchester, at 1am. This is how professional our team is. The management needs to change as does the mindset. We need a western approach to coaching, fitness training and nutrition. Unless this is done, we will suffer again and again as lessons will not have been learnt.
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SHAHID SATTAR Jun 18, 2019 08:31pm
Every ex cricketer is a wise guy today. They spread their wisdom after the defeat so as to ensure that it stings the vulnerable all the way.
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AZAM AKBAR Jun 18, 2019 08:36pm
@Demagogue Mr. Demagogue, Correct. Mr. Shoaib Akhtar forgot that he was also brainless. He thinks he was the best cricketer of the world.
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AZAM AKBAR Jun 18, 2019 08:37pm
@Think Mr. Think, You are right. But Mr. Shoaib Akhtar can't digest this bitter truth related to him.
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AZAM AKBAR Jun 18, 2019 08:45pm
@Ahmed Mr. Ahmed, What can Mr. Shoaib Akhtar do? He wants to be in mass medias. Nothing else.
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Patriotic Jun 18, 2019 08:56pm
We lost because of rampant brainlessness: Shoaib Akhtar lashes out at Pakistan's cricket team
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Saeeds Jun 18, 2019 09:00pm
Hey genius Pakistan lost at your time also . Don't forget.
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Kashif Jun 18, 2019 09:13pm
Shoaib was the biggest waste of tax payer money. How many big cups did he win? Did he ever become captain? Does he remember his own issues? Poor man trying to stay relevant.
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Swiss Neutral Jun 18, 2019 09:32pm
What a captain or a bowler did are minor issues. Pakistan team has to raise its standards in all departments.
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Pakistani Jun 18, 2019 09:38pm
No we lost because of incompetent Shoaib Malik.
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kautiliya Jun 18, 2019 10:41pm
Pakistan would or could not have won against India is long and short of it. Better luck may be next ime
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Chinpaksaddique Jun 18, 2019 10:46pm
Master cricketer shoaib. Only if the cricket board listens it will be better if not cricket should be closed
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Tallat Jun 18, 2019 10:55pm
I agree with Shoaib because against England we batted first and we played without any pressure and against Australia we lost because we are not good chaser against India when we know weather will be unsettled and captain made the mistake again by giving betting to India which they took full advantage. Also our team is not in mood to win matches, it seems like captain doesn’t have grip.
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wsyed Jun 18, 2019 11:46pm
Its not just Sarfraz's Captaincy, it is his lack of batting skills, bad wicket keeping (always too far from the ball). His fitness, one can go on, including failure to answer questions intelligently. "we lost because we lost quick wickets" is not an explanation.
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101 miles Jun 18, 2019 11:55pm
Shoaib is trying to remain relevant!
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Adnan Khan Jun 19, 2019 12:37am
@Demagogue that does not make the analysis wrong. To be fair... All his points are spot on!
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k hussain Jun 19, 2019 01:35am
cricket, a sport played by a handful of nations is given more importance than it deserves, especially by our neighbour, India. I remember visiting Pakistan as far back as 2000 when England were touring Pakistan and the grounds were empty of supporters. We were in a restaurant where we had to ask the staff to switch the channel to the one showing cricket which shows how much interest there is in a game of cricket in Pakistan.
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pakOne Jun 19, 2019 02:25am
It's ironic that likes of shoib and afridi are calling others brainless!
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Handa Jun 19, 2019 04:34am
@Zak -- Result would have been the same 7 to 10 times out of 10 times.
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Mangoman Jun 19, 2019 05:48am
It is unfortunate that Shoaib is so heartbroken. Its more unfortunate that he is right. This was college cricket captaincy and definitely not worthy at any first class game , let alone the world cup.
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Raisano Jun 19, 2019 09:02am
Blame game never stops I. This country. U lost because India is a better team
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Ali Sabir Jun 19, 2019 09:45am
There is not one world class athlete on the team.
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Venkatesh Jun 19, 2019 01:48pm
Post mortem will be of no use. Let us correct the mistakes so that it doesn't happen again. It is human to err and forgive whatever has happened. Encourage the captain who lost not by hammering but diplomatically. Every body has their own ups and downs. The same captain had won champions trophy.
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siddha Jun 19, 2019 07:36pm
He and others in Pakistani team lost in 1999 due to money issues.
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Laila Jun 19, 2019 09:37pm
We need an entire new team. Time for recruiting new young players who are willing to work around the clock to traintheir game and be in great physical shape. Players who are ambitious and not taking their role for granted. Players who look like players without saggy bodies and pot bellies. I feel utterly embarrassed that our team members look like you just woke then up from their nap and asked them to walk outonto the field and play cricket at professional level. If you are not in great shape, then you simply have no stamina to run around or be speedy.we have many young players just waiting to get a shot. Recruit them!!
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ramasubramanian Jun 19, 2019 09:38pm
@Karachi wala afterall it's a game. It's easy to do a post-mortem job I differ from your views that Pakistanis are not good chasers. Have u forgot the sixer hot on the last ball by Miandad, leading to victory against India? Of course this comment comes from the other side of the fence and appreciate our spirit and culture
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Inamul Haq, Bahawapur Jun 20, 2019 12:03am
Stop hypocrisy and have courage to say on his face. One time mistake does not wash out sportsmanship. He is a leader in cricket ground.
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