Pakistan Vs Afghanistan ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Shoaib Akhtar Slams PAK Management, Says ‘You Have Ajay Jadeja And Jonathan Trott Teaching Afghan Pathans’

Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed the Pakistan team management after their loss to Afghanistan in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match in Chennai.

Afghanistan cricket team celebrate their win over Pakistan in Chennai. (Photo: AP)

Pakistan cricket team succumbed to a shock eight-wicket loss to neighbours Afghanistan in match no. 22 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. It was Afghanistan’s first win over Pakistan in eight attempts and now Babar Azam’s Pakistan are in danger of failing to make the semifinal stage of the tournament.

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed the Pakistan team management after their shock loss in an Exclusive interaction with Zee News. Akhtar praised the Afghanistan back-room staff which includes former India captain Ajay Jadeja as mentor and former England batter Jonathan Trott as head coach.

“If you look at strike-rate of (Rahmanullah) Gurbaz, he was striking at 120-plus. Our whole team no one has strike-rate of above 90. Do you have any answer for that? I am trying to find answer to that,” Shoaib Akhtar told Zee News, blasting the Pakistan team on Monday night.

WATCH Shoaib Akhtar’s exclusive interaction with Zee News English HERE…

Afghanistan have roped in Jadeja, who led India in ODI matches in the past, as mentor for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Jadeja has combined with Trott to help Afghanistan stun defending champions England earlier in the tournament. Afghanistan, who only had one win in ODI World Cup before 2023 edition over Scotland, have now doubled their win tally in India.

“Ajay Jadeja was one of the shrewdest player in Indian team with England’s Jonathan Trott. You have management like that teaching Afghanistan’s Pathans. Afghanistan have deserved this win, today their ‘jazba’ and sensible and clinical approach have won. Afghans taught Pakistan how to bat today,” Akhtar said.

The 48-year-old pacer couldn’t even recall Pakistan team’s bowling coach’s name – former South African pacer Morne Morkel. “It’s a reflection of our choices. It’s reflection of the nation, the choice that you have bought up. Mickey Arthur and Morne Morkel are the people they have picked. To lead the country you have this option (Babar Azam), to open the batting you have this (Imam-ul-Haq),” Akhtar added.

“Yes, it is Pakistan’s most embarrassing defeat in this tournament. But I was afraid about it, I have shared this with you earlier as well. Afghanistan’s team was not a run-over side; they were at par with Pakistan. Perhaps they were the better team today as they won the match. I have run out of words to say about this game,” the former Pakistan pacer added.