Wasim Akram lambasted Pakistan players over their fitness concerns saying, 'Eating 8 kg mutton every day' after losing to Afghanistan

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• Oct 24, 2023 | Poonam Nath

Former captain Wasim Akram criticised Pakistan's fielding against Afghanistan, criticising the players' fitness levels...

Digital Desk: Wasim Akram, Pakistan's former Captain criticised Babar Azam's squad after the former champions were blown away by lower-ranked Afghanistan in a World Cup 2023 match in Chennai on Monday, stating the players' fitness levels were lacking. Pakistan lost for the third time in a row, severely damaging their chances of making it to the semi-finals.

In addition, it was Pakistan's first ODI loss against Afghanistan in their eighth encounter. Pakistan reached 282 in 50 overs on a difficult Chennai surface because of fifty-plus scores from Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, and useful innings from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan. It appeared like Pakistan had enough runs on the board.

To many people's surprise Afghanistan chased down the target with an over to spare and 8 wickets in hand. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran tore into a Pakistan bowling attack that appeared tired on the big day in Chennai. The opening stand of 130 runs by the two batsmen took the wind out of Pakistan's sails.

"It's humiliating. With only two wickets, 280-290 is a significant score. The pitch is wet or dry. When you look at the fitness levels, fielding was... We've been talking about how there hasn't been a fitness test in two years on this programme. They will be upset if I use their specific names. After Pakistan's 8-wicket defeat, Akram told A Sports, "It looks like they eat 8 kg of mutton every day."

Akram also stated that although under former head coach Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan players disliked the fitness tests, such exams helped the squad practise the basics correctly.

"Tests should be conducted. You are paid to play for your country on a professional level. Misbah has my support. When he was a coach, he had such criteria, and the players despised him. However, it served the team well. Fitness is crucial in fielding, and it shows on the pitch." added Akram.

"Now we have come to a stage, where we will pray, do ifs and buts, wait for other teams to lose, then we can reach the semi-finals," he went on to say.

Pakistan will play South Africa in Chennai on Friday, while Afghanistan will go to Pune on Monday to play Sri Lanka.