Wasim Akram minced no words as he exposed everything that is wrong with the current Pakistan cricket team, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the selectors. Akram’s angry rant came after
Pakistan’s six-wicket loss to India in the Champions Trophy 2025 which has pushed the Men in Green to the brink of elimination.

Pakistan have not beaten India in ODIs since 2018 and the Sunday loss was their second consecutive defeat in the Champions Trophy 2025. With Pakistan batters, bowlers and fielders collectively failing to light up the tournament, questions have been directed towards the PCB selection committee which comprises Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Hassan Cheema besides the captain Mohammad Rizwan.

Wasim Akram calls for drastic changes to Pakistan team

Reacting after Pakistan’s loss to India on the DP World Dressing Room show, Akram said the time has come to drop some of the established stars from the white-ball team and invest in young layers who are “fearless”. The bowling great pointed out that the current players have failed to live up to the expectations.

“Enough is enough. We are losing in white-ball with these players from some couple of years. The time is to take a bold step. What is the bold step? As Waqar Younis was saying, bring young players, fearless cricketers, bring them in white ball cricket. Even if you have to make 5-6 big changes, do that, lose for the next six months, support those players. Start making the 2026 T20 World Cup team from now,” Akram said.

“Enough is enough. We have seen everything, we have given chances, created superstars. In the last five games, all Pakistani bowlers together have taken 24 wickets at an average of 60. The shocking stat is that among 14 teams including Oman and USA who have played ODI cricket this year, Pakistan’s blowing average is second worst among these teams.”

The 1992 World Cup winner, Akram, also revealed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had asked the selectors to reassess the squad before the Champions Trophy 2025 began but they stuck to the current lot who have been below par.

“PCB chairman has to call up the selection committee, call the captain, coach and our five legends and ask them what is this selection. Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha, did it look like they will get out someone, Virat Kohli types,” the 58-year-old Akram said. “This is the fact and we have to say it. We had been screaming that this squad was not good. Even the chairman asked them one day before that change the squad if there is a need. These guys met for one hour and came out with the same squad.”

Wasim Akram slams Pakistan captain Rizwan

Akram didn’t spare Pakistan captain Rizwan as well, slamming him for failing to read home conditions and pick players accordingly.

“The captain is also responsible. He is the captain of the ship and leader. If he doesn’t know which match winners he needs in his own conditions, if he is unable to read his own conditions then it’s embarrassing. There were around 8-10% Pakistani fans in the ground and they started leaving after Pakistan bowled 15-18 overs, I had not seen this in the history of Pakistan, this is unfortunate. We as a nation are very passionate…It’s frustrating,” Akram concluded.

With a defeat to India, Pakistan are inches away from elimination. They will be knocked out from the home tournament if
New Zealand beat Bangladesh on Monday.