Wasim Akram: “After losing two initial wickets, the players had to stay on the wicket but they couldn’t”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Legendary Pakistan left-arm seamer Wasim Akram attributed the national team’s World Cup loss to the West Indies to the fact that they constantly play on flat wickets and were not able to stabilise their innings when batting.

Pakistan were skittled out for 105 as their batsmen weren’t able to deal with the short-pitched deliveries the West Indian bowlers dished up.

With the West Indies going on to win by seven wickets, Akram pointed out that other teams now know Pakistan’s weakness as the men from the Caribbean fully exposed it during the match.

“We have been playing on flat wickets in Sharjah and Dubai for years and that is why we struggle when we get short balls on wickets like this. Today the batting’s shortcomings were exposed. Everyone has seen the match and people now know exactly where to bowl to the Pakistani batsmen,” Akram said on Geo’s program “Swing Ka Sultan”.

“After losing two initial wickets, the players had to stay on the wicket but they couldn’t. They must learn how to stay on the wicket and see off the ball. In such conditions, you have to survive the initial overs.”

Pakistan’s next match will be against hosts England in Nottingham on Monday.

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