Shoaib Akhtar rips into Pakistan batters, calls for mega changes in culture
'We used to have expressive and explosive talent, and we played like that. We were never dependent on one individual, everyone chipped in. No one used to look for escape routes. The environment has changed, and in the last 10–15 years, everyone has started playing for themselves. Everyone is playing for their averages. The intent should be to win matches for your country,' Akhtar said on the Game On Hai show.BIG CHANGE NEEDED: SHOAIB AKHTARPakistan have been heavily criticised for their outdated brand of cricket for a while now. Since reaching the semi-final and final of T20 World Cup 2021 and 2022, Pakistan cricket have been on a freefall. The team was knocked out of the group stages in the ODI World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024, owing to their defensive style of play.Against India in the 2024 World Cup, the side failed to chase down a paltry total of 120 runs.'We need to change the intent, the mindset, and create that atmosphere. You need to play according to modern cricket. How hard is that to understand?' Akhtar blasted the Pakistan side.Though in the T20I series, Pakistan were able to edge out West Indies 2-1, it still does not hide their vulnerability while playing outside home. They toured Bangladesh and lost 1-2 in July. In March-April 2025, they went down against New Zealand 0-3, vindicating the team's obvious vulnerability on foreign soils.'Halka sa seam hota hai toh musibat pad jaati hai (The ball moves a bit and they are in trouble). Rawalpindi pitch lekar nahi ghoom sakte (You can't carry Pindi pitches everywhere),' said Akhtar.The upcoming matches will provide the side with a chance to respond to criticism and gain confidence ahead of the bigger challenge - the T20 World Cup in 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. A better and comparatively comprehensive show could ease some pressure on the players, at least for the time being.- EndsMust Watch
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