If Pakistan doesn't perform well, I will criticize them: Shoaib Akhtar
After criticising Misbah-ul-Haq in the recent past, former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar took a U-turn and has said that the captain was the person who was keeping the team alive and needs support from other batsmen. Akhtar had already called Misbah ‘a selfish and coward captain’, but after Pakistan’s first win in the World Cup against Zimbabwe, Akhtar dramatically changed his tune about the team, Pakistan Cricket Board and even Misbah.
"Misbah needs the support of other players he can't carry the burden all the time," said Akhtar. "Misbah has to spearhead a change in attitude in this team. We need a fearless attitude like the other teams have displayed so far, He can bring joy to millions of Pakistanis. And I tell you once this team reaches the quarter-finals anything can happen," he added.
"I support Pakistan cricket and I will support this team as long as they fight and win or lose. But if they don't perform well I will criticize them as it is nothing personal against anyone but for betterment of Pakistan cricket, I tell Misbah take our criticism positively learn from it because we also want to see you doing well and Pakistan winning the World Cup,” Akhtar stated.
Some of them have their own issues to deal with: Misbah
The Pakistan captain had said prior to the Zimbabwe match that the critics and former players should watch their language while making comments about him or the team.
"They are people who making insulting and personal comments about me and the team and I don't think that is gracious. They can criticize if we don't perform well but I get this feeling some of them have their own issues to deal with," he had said.
This team needs support right now: Wasim Akram
Former Pakistan pacer, Wasim Akram also supported Misbah and lashed out at the critics and insisted that thisPakistan team needs support now,
"It is not a good thing for Pakistan cricket. This team needs support right now and we must back it not just criticize and say things to gain a few seconds recognition in the media," he said.
Shoaib is merely exaggerating the problems: Mudassar Nazar
Former Pakistani test batsman and coach, Mudassar Nazar, who is currently the batting coach of UAE in this World Cup also felt some of the critics and former players were just looking for jobs and hit out on Akhtar in particular,
"I think Shoaib is merely exaggerating the problems in Pakistan cricket. Yes, they have not played well in this World Cup and there are issues but the way he is going out there and saying things about the captain and players is not right,” Nazar said.
“There is a system problem in Pakistan cricket, but not as grave as what Shoaib is making it out to be. PCB-bashing has become very fashionable in Pakistan. While some are genuinely concerned about Pakistan cricket, there are many others, who are simply looking for job offers,”, Nazar stated.