“Looks like these guys are eating 8 kg of biryani & nihari every day” – Wasim Akram slams Pakistan fielding after Afghanistan loss in 2023 World Cup
Cricket legend Wasim Akram has slammed Pakistan for their poor fielding in their most recent 2023 World Cup match, where they lost to Afghanistan by eight wickets in Chennai on Monday, October 23.
The 57-year-old questioned fitness standards of the Men in Green, questioning whether the players are eating eight kilos of biryani every day.
The Pakistan fielders were sloppy as they failed to back up the bowlers, who eventually failed to defend 282. The Afghanistan batters looked clinical, with the top three batters slamming half-centuries.
Akram said on A-Sports (via Cricket Pakistan):
"It was embarrassing today. To reach 280-odd losing just two wickets is pretty big. Wet pitch or no, look at the fielding, the fitness levels. We've been screaming for the last three weeks that these players haven't undergone a fitness test in the last two years.
"If I start taking individual names, their faces will drop. Looks like these guys are eating 8 kilos of biryani and nihari every day. Should there not be tests.”
The cricket-turned-commentator continued:
"Professionally, you guys are getting paid, playing for your country. There has to be a certain criteria. Misbah, when he was coach, had that criteria. Players hated him, but it worked.
"Fielding is all about fitness and that's where we are lacking. Now we have reached that same position, where we will pray for ifs and buts to happen."
Here's the full video of the post match discussion:
“We didn’t stop boundaries” – Babar Azam disappointed with Pakistan's fielding and bowling after loss to Afghanistan
Pakistan captain Babar Azam was disappointed with the team's fielding and bowling after losing to Afghanistan. At the post-match conference, he said:
“In the field, we didn't stop boundaries and gave away runs, that cost us. Bowling - we started well, in the middle overs, we needed wickets, but we couldn't take any wickets. We are not playing good cricket in bowling and fielding. We didn't hit the lengths in the middle overs, especially our spinners. We couldn't put pressure on the batters.”
Pakistan will next face South Africa at the same venue on October 27.
Pakistan’s remaining schedule in the 2023 World Cup
October 27: vs South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai at 2pm IST
October 31: vs Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 2pm IST
November 4: vs New Zealand at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru at 10.30am IST
November 11: vs England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 2pm IST