Wasim Akram: “All the teams are tough, Pakistan don’t look too strong. They’ll really have to work hard to be in the semi-finals”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Legendary Pakistan left-arm pace bowler Wasim Akram has admitted that the national team will “have to work hard” in order to reach the semi-finals.

Akram noted that there are many strong teams in this World Cup and added that Pakistan will have to be at their very best throughout the tournament in order to qualify for the semi-finals.

Pakistan have struggled in ODIs this year as they were beaten 3-2 by South Africa and whitewashed 5-0 by Australia in the United Arab Emirates.

In their most recent ODI series against England, the men in green were crushed 4-0.

“[What’s] done is done, we were beaten, but that’s the past. We had an inexperienced squad against Australia and acclimatizing opportunity against England, now there’s no excuse for them. I hope the extravaganza of the World Cup [will] motivate the players,” Akram told Geo.tv.

“All the teams are tough, Pakistan don’t look too strong. They’ll really have to work hard to be in the semi-finals.”

Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on Friday.

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