Islamabad: Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Sarfaraz Ahmed's 'brainless captaincy' after Pakistan's humiliating 89-run loss to India in the World Cup.
"I don't understand how a captain can be so brainless, couldn't Sarfaraz think that we don't chase well. Square of the wicket is dry, the wicket is not wet. Knowing the fact and your strength is not batting it is bowling," Akhtar said on his official YouTube channel.
According to Akhtar, winning the toss was crucial aspect of the game and half the match was won had Sarfaraz decided to bat first.
"Now, when you had won the toss, you had won half the match. But what did you do? You succeeded in ensuring that we do not win this match. Yet again, brainless captaincy, utterly stupid management."
Highlighting Pakistan's in ability to chase, Akhtar referred to their defeat to India in 1999 and the previous game against Australia.
"We don't have a history of chasing. Inzamam, Yusuf, Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, all big batsmen, were playing in this ground in 1999 and we had to make 227; we weren't able to do that.
So, when you got the chance after winning the toss you should have batted." The Rawalpindi Express also criticised the batsmen for not making use of the conditions unlike their Indian counterparts.
"There was no thinking, one-dimensional players came to bat; but the toss was crucial; if Pakistan had batted first and even scored 260, they would have made it because the pressure would be on the team chasing the required run rate. But who would tell them?"
"I think it's a very saddening and disheartening performance by Pakistan team captain and that's why I was saying that use your head, but he tried to not use his brain." Akhtar singled out pacer Hasan Ali - who went for 84 off his 9 overs - as one of the architects of the defeat.
"Yet again, our bowling; Hasan Ali, he can jump at Wagah border but when there is time to exert force, do it. All these things look good if you take 6-7 wickets, you come here and give 82-84 runs.
What mind set is this?
"I think his mind set is that he wants to be a T20 player, this is his 4th or 5th match for Pakistan and see the conditions, neither there is any pace, nor swing. I'm failing to understand what he wants to achieve."
