Pakistan’s disastrous Champions Trophy campaign draws sharp criticism as Kamran Akmal mocks team’s lack of balance. Umar Akmal blames Babar Azam for failing to build bench strength.
March 3, 2025: Pakistan’s winless exit from the Champions Trophy 2025 has triggered a wave of criticism, with former cricketer Kamran Akmal delivering a savage remark on the squad’s imbalance. Pakistan failed to secure a single victory, losing to New Zealand and India, while their final group-stage match against Bangladesh was washed out.
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Reacting to the team’s poor show, Akmal didn’t hold back during a discussion on ARY News, saying:
“If you make these 15 stand on the terrace, even that will fall. There is no balance in the team.”
His brutal assessment came after the host of the show pointed out that Pakistan’s fate was sealed the day the squad was announced.
Umar Akmal Blames Babar Azam
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While Kamran Akmal criticized the squad selection, his brother Umar Akmal squarely blamed Babar Azam for Pakistan’s downfall, stating that the ex-captain failed to build bench strength during his tenure.
“Babar was captain for nearly five years and never tried to build up the bench strength because of his likes and dislikes,” Umar said.
The younger Akmal also revealed that he had personally urged Babar to utilize him as a finisher, but was ignored.
“I told Babar, let me finish games. You’re doing well as an opener, and I can complement you. But he never listened.”
Babar, who captained Pakistan from 2019 to 2023, was reinstated as white-ball captain in 2024, only to step down after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign last year.
Pakistan Team Faces Big Changes
With Pakistan crashing out of the Champions Trophy, reports suggest that interim head coach Aaqib Javed is unlikely to continue in his role.
“Aqib Javed will not get an extension. A new coach will be appointed for the New Zealand tour,” sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told Geo News.
As Pakistan cricket faces another turbulent phase, the team will need a major overhaul in leadership, strategy, and squad balance to regain its lost dominance.
Will the upcoming New Zealand tour mark a fresh start for Pakistan cricket, or will the problems continue to pile up?
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