{
  "id": 6394522,
  "title": "'I knew before the series': Wasim Akram predicts Pakistan's 3-0 England whitewash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/i-knew-before-the-series-wasim-akram-predicts-pakistans-3-0-england",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T07:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/knew-series-wasim-akram-predicts-073100806.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram believes he foresaw a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan by England before the ongoing Test series commenced. In the latest instalment, Pakistan has trailed 0-2 going into the third and final Test. Akram, who was part of the victorious Pakistan teams in England in 1987 and 1996, attributes the recent poor performances to struggling batting, below-average bowling, and worse fielding. He acknowledges the controversy surrounding Pakistan Cricket Board's recent changes, including the sacking of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and seven players. Akram empathizes with the players but attributes their issues to deeper systemic problems, including a lack of proper domestic first-class structure and inconsistent leadership. Concerning Imran Khan, Akram has not spoken to him in three years due to political circumstances and expresses worry over the former captain's health, urging the government to prioritize it.",
  "summary": "Pakistan's poor performances have attracted criticism, but the Pakistan Cricket Board's major changes after the second Test have also shocked the cricket world. The PCB sent seven players from the squad back home and sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his staff after the second Test. Wasim Akram said he feels for the players, but believes their attitude is also part of the problem.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Pakistan face uphill battle in third Test as PCB investigate conduct during horror England tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/pakistan-face-uphill-battle-in-third-test-as-pcb-investigate-conduct",
        "published": "2026-09-08T16:48:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "Unchanged England win toss, bowl as Pakistan name three debutants",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/unchanged-england-win-toss-bowl-as-pakistan-name-three-debutants",
        "published": "2026-09-09T10:23:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "England humble hapless Pakistan on opening day of final Test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/england-humble-hapless-pakistan-on-opening-day-of-final-test",
        "published": "2026-09-09T18:12:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}