Wasim Akram slams Pakistan cricket: Knew England series would end in 0-3 loss

Wasim Akram has slammed Pakistan cricket after the series loss in England. Courtesy: Reuters Wasim Akram has launched a scathing assessment of Pakistan cricket after England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series, with the legendary former captain admitting he expected Pakistan to be swept even before the contest began. England have backed up their dominance with two emphatic victories. They won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before completing a 194-run victory at Lord's. Pakistan were bowled out for 171 and 135 in Leeds, while they managed only 110 and 194 at Lord's. 'I knew before the series we were going to lose 3-0 to England. Our batting is struggling, our bowling is below average and our fielding is worse. It's not rocket science,' Akram told The Athletic. Wasim, who captained Pakistan during their last consecutive Test series victories in England, said he sympathised with the players but questioned whether their attitude was helping their cause. 'But in Pakistan we have a saying: 'You can only clap with two hands'. I get asked all the time, 'Can you do something to help Pakistan cricket?' But the issues are a lot deeper. These are the top players, there's nothing else there. The systems aren't there below that. The first-class structure domestically has been all over the place the last few years and there's no consistency, no patience,' Akram said. AKRAM POINTS TO DEEPER PROBLEMS IN PAKISTAN CRICKET The former fast bowler's criticism goes beyond the current Test squad. He believes Pakistan's problems are rooted in the domestic system, where frequent changes and a lack of patience have made it difficult to build a reliable pipeline of international players. Akram also highlighted how frustration among supporters can feed into the cycle of constant upheaval. 'That dribbles down to the fans, too. They see the team lose and they want to rip it all up, too. We've done that so many times and now there is nothing really left,' Wasim added. His comments come at a particularly turbulent time for Pakistan cricket. After the two heavy defeats, the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes, sending seven players home and removing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their positions. The immediate challenge, however, is still on the field. England have already secured the series and will look to complete a 3-0 sweep when the teams meet at Edgbaston from September 9. Pakistan, meanwhile, have one final opportunity to respond to the criticism and salvage some pride by preventing a clean sweep in the third Test. Wasim Akram has launched a scathing assessment of Pakistan cricket after England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series, with the legendary former captain admitting he expected Pakistan to be swept even before the contest began. England have backed up their dominance with two emphatic victories. They won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before completing a 194-run victory at Lord's. Pakistan were bowled out for 171 and 135 in Leeds, while they managed only 110 and 194 at Lord's. 'I knew before the series we were going to lose 3-0 to England. Our batting is struggling, our bowling is below average and our fielding is worse. It's not rocket science,' Akram told The Athletic. Wasim, who captained Pakistan during their last consecutive Test series victories in England, said he sympathised with the players but questioned whether their attitude was helping their cause. 'But in Pakistan we have a saying: 'You can only clap with two hands'. I get asked all the time, 'Can you do something to help Pakistan cricket?' But the issues are a lot deeper. These are the top players, there's nothing else there. The systems aren't there below that. The first-class structure domestically has been all over the place the last few years and there's no consistency, no patience,' Akram said. AKRAM POINTS TO DEEPER PROBLEMS IN PAKISTAN CRICKET The former fast bowler's criticism goes beyond the current Test squad. He believes Pakistan's problems are rooted in the domestic system, where frequent changes and a lack of patience have made it difficult to build a reliable pipeline of international players. Akram also highlighted how frustration among supporters can feed into the cycle of constant upheaval. 'That dribbles down to the fans, too. They see the team lose and they want to rip it all up, too. We've done that so many times and now there is nothing really left,' Wasim added. His comments come at a particularly turbulent time for Pakistan cricket. After the two heavy defeats, the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes, sending seven players home and removing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their positions. The immediate challenge, however, is still on the field. England have already secured the series and will look to complete a 3-0 sweep when the teams meet at Edgbaston from September 9. Pakistan, meanwhile, have one final opportunity to respond to the criticism and salvage some pride by preventing a clean sweep in the third Test. Wasim Akram has launched a scathing assessment of Pakistan cricket after England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series, with the legendary former captain admitting he expected Pakistan to be swept even before the contest began. England have backed up their dominance with two emphatic victories. They won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before completing a 194-run victory at Lord's. Pakistan were bowled out for 171 and 135 in Leeds, while they managed only 110 and 194 at Lord's. 'I knew before the series we were going to lose 3-0 to England. Our batting is struggling, our bowling is below average and our fielding is worse. It's not rocket science,' Akram told The Athletic. Wasim, who captained Pakistan during their last consecutive Test series victories in England, said he sympathised with the players but questioned whether their attitude was helping their cause. 'But in Pakistan we have a saying: 'You can only clap with two hands'. I get asked all the time, 'Can you do something to help Pakistan cricket?' But the issues are a lot deeper. These are the top players, there's nothing else there. The systems aren't there below that. The first-class structure domestically has been all over the place the last few years and there's no consistency, no patience,' Akram said. AKRAM POINTS TO DEEPER PROBLEMS IN PAKISTAN CRICKET The former fast bowler's criticism goes beyond the current Test squad. He believes Pakistan's problems are rooted in the domestic system, where frequent changes and a lack of patience have made it difficult to build a reliable pipeline of international players. Akram also highlighted how frustration among supporters can feed into the cycle of constant upheaval. 'That dribbles down to the fans, too. They see the team lose and they want to rip it all up, too. We've done that so many times and now there is nothing really left,' Wasim added. His comments come at a particularly turbulent time for Pakistan cricket. After the two heavy defeats, the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes, sending seven players home and removing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their positions. The immediate challenge, however, is still on the field. England have already secured the series and will look to complete a 3-0 sweep when the teams meet at Edgbaston from September 9. Pakistan, meanwhile, have one final opportunity to respond to the criticism and salvage some pride by preventing a clean sweep in the third Test. +Follow us on Join