"Even the club team doesn't perform like this" - Kamran Akmal blasts 'Locality team' Pakistan for defeat in 1st England Test 2024
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal termed the current side worse than a club team after their stunning defeat to England in the first Test at Multan. Shan Masood's Men lost their sixth consecutive Test match - all since he took over as captain late last year.
Pakistan scored a massive 556 in the first innings and looked to be on their way to ending their losing streak. However, the bowlers produced a dismal showing to concede 823/7 to the visitors.
The batters gave in to the pressure of a deficit in the second essay to be bowled for 220, hence suffering defeat by an innings and 47 runs.
Speaking on his YouTube channel after the loss, Akmal was quoted by MSN as saying:
"The world must be amazed by the way Pakistan lost. Nobody will believe this. Pakistan side has become a locality team. Even the club team doesn't perform like this. This is the current standard of our team. We win against small teams but can't even get close to big teams. The whole world is laughing at the Pakistan team."
Pakistan's 556 was also the highest team total in an innings defeat in Test history and the joint-third highest score in a loss while batting first.
Furthermore, Pakistan's home woes in Tests continued with the side still to win a game in over three years. Their last home success in the red-ball format came against South Africa in February 2021.
Since then, the Asian side has suffered home series losses to Australia, England, and Bangladesh with a drawn series against New Zealand in the middle.
"In our country, players play for their personal milestones and then think about the team" - Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal further accused the Pakistan players of placing their individual numbers ahead of team interests.
The former gloveman called for an inquiry to find the players responsible for their debacle and drop them immediately.
"Pakistan team have selfish approach. In our country, players play for their personal milestones and then think about the team. The captain should be asked who is the player involved in this. Inquire about this and remove the responsible person. You are favouring them without performance. The whole world is playing against Pakistan to make records. Shameful performance," said Akmal.
The latest defeat sunk Pakistan to the bottom of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
They are staring at another home series defeat heading into the second England Test, starting at Multan on Tuesdsy, October 15.