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Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram didn’t hold back his emotions after Pakistan’s crushing six-wicket loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The defeat has put Pakistan in a precarious position, with their qualification hopes now resting on the performances of other teams.
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Pakistan’s Struggles Against India in Dubai
Pakistan batted first after winning the toss but could only manage a modest 241 runs. Despite decent contributions from Saud Shakeel (62), Mohammad Rizwan (46), and Khushdil Shah (38), the batting unit failed to post a formidable total. Kuldeep Yadav (3/45) and Hardik Pandya (2/42) were the standout bowlers for India, restricting Pakistan from building any real momentum.
In response, Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 anchored India’s chase with class and composure. Shreyas Iyer (56) and Shubman Gill (46) played aggressive knocks, ensuring that India secured a comfortable victory with six wickets in hand.
Wasim Akram’s Hilarious Take on Pakistan Cricket’s Situation
During the post-match discussion on Sports Central, Wasim Akram shared a humorous yet thought-provoking take on the state of Pakistan cricket.
He narrated a joke that left the panelists Ajay Jadeja, Nikhil Chopra, and Waqar Younis in laughter:
“Ek aadmi najoomi ke paas jaata hai. Apna hath dikhata hai ke apne future ke baare me puchta hai. Najoomi hath dekhtar kehta hai ki tu gareeb hai, tu aur gareeb ho jayega, tu bahut gareeb ho jayega. Fir tujhe aadat ho jayegi. Hum sabko bhi aadat ho gayi hai.”
(A man visits an astrologer and asks about his future. The astrologer looks at his palm and says that he is poor, will become poorer, and will continue getting poorer. Eventually, he will get used to it. We have also become used to it now!)
Akram’s witty yet brutally honest remark resonated with Pakistan fans, reflecting their frustration with the team’s ongoing struggles in white-ball cricket.
Calls for Major Changes in Pakistan Cricket
Beyond the humor, Akram made a serious case for sweeping changes in Pakistan cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. He criticized the long-standing trend of sticking with underperforming players and called for a complete overhaul of the team.
“We have been losing with these same players in white-ball cricket for the last few years. Now the time has come to take a bold step. Young players should bring fearless cricket. Even if you have to make more than five-six changes, make them. Support them and prepare the team for the 2026 World Cup from now itself. Enough is enough. We have seen them. We have given them a chance. We have made them stars.”
Akram also criticized Pakistan’s bowling attack, highlighting their poor numbers in recent matches.
“Pakistani bowlers have taken 24 wickets in five matches at an average of 60. 60 runs per wicket! The surprising statistic is that Pakistan’s bowling average is the second worst among 14 teams, including Oman and USA.”
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Fate Hangs in Balance
Following their loss to India, Pakistan’s hopes of advancing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 now rest on the outcome of the Bangladesh vs New Zealand match in Rawalpindi on February 24.
- A Bangladesh victory would keep Pakistan’s hopes alive in the tournament.
- A New Zealand win would eliminate Pakistan, making this yet another disappointing campaign for the Men in Green.
With the pressure mounting on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team management, the coming months could bring significant changes. However, as Wasim Akram humorously pointed out, Pakistan fans have unfortunately become accustomed to such struggles.
