Ahmed Shehzad: “If Wasim Akram thinks he can make things better, then he should step up and do it”
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Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has challenged iconic left-arm pace bowler Wasim Akram to “step up” and help make the national team better.
Wasim has spoken about being willing to assist Pakistan in any way he can, but insisted that he won’t take a coaching role.
Even if it is for a short period of time, Shehzad wants to see the Sultan of Swing back up his words with action.
“If Wasim Akram thinks he can make things better, then he should step up and do it. As for calling the public ill-mannered, I don’t believe that’s true. The real issue is our team’s poor performances. Cricket is the only sport that emotionally connects Pakistan, and people are simply expressing their emotions. Lead from the front, take a fair package, but bring real reforms,” he was quoted as saying by TOK Sports on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan have performed well below par as of late as they crashed out in the group stage of the 2025 Champions Trophy after failing to win a single game.
They then went to New Zealand and were pummelled 4-1 in the T20Is and 3-0 in the ODIs.
Many of the Pakistan players are now featuring in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL), which will end on May 25.
Once PSL 10 finishes, Pakistan will face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series in Lahore from May 28 to June 1.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper) and Saim Ayub