'I knew we'd lose 3-0': Wasim Akram tears into Pakistan cricket setup

Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of Pakistan's cricket system. In an interview, Akram acknowledged that even he cannot single-handedly fix the pervasive issues plaguing the sport, pointing to shortcomings that extend across various aspects of the game and the domestic structure.

The batting, bowling, and fielding performances of the national team have been inconsistent, and the problems are not limited to the elite players. The domestic first-class cricket has also suffered from instability, with constant changes and lack of continuity affecting the development of quality players for the national team. Akram's disappointment was evident when Pakistan suffered a 3-0 loss to England in their ongoing Test series.

The team's poor batting and bowling, coupled with fielding failures, were evident from the opening day of the third Test. Pakistan's first four wickets fell within the first hour, and the innings ended at a pitiful 133 in the 34th over. The top five batters all fell for single-digit scores, highlighting the team's batting struggles.

England's bowlers, led by Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer, took advantage of the situation to pick up three wickets each, effectively exposing the vulnerabilities in Pakistan's team. Akram cautions that fixing Pakistan cricket is not a simple task that can be addressed by blaming players or coaches. He emphasizes the need for stability and patience at multiple levels of the cricket ecosystem, from the first-class domestic cricket to the board's decision-making.