Former Cricketer Niaz Criticizes Pakistan’s Middle Order, Calls Out Team Selection
Karachi — Speaking on the program Khabar, former pacer Niaz Akhtar expressed concerns over Pakistan’s struggling middle order, which he said has failed to deliver when it was most needed.
Akhtar criticized the team’s strategy in the high-octane final, suggesting that Hassan Nawaz and another fast bowler should have been included. He said Pakistan got off to a promising start, but the middle-order batsmen failed to capitalize, costing the team a potential target of 170-175 against India.
The former speedster also highlighted that captain Salman Ali Agha should have utilized Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub more effectively, as both were bowling exceptionally well. “The pitch was very good, but the players seemed to lack a proper game plan,” he added.
Akhtar noted that Pakistan had initially put India under pressure, but missed opportunities, such as the dropped run-out chance of Tilak Varma by Haris, proved costly.
Addressing criticism of Agha’s captaincy, Akhtar defended him, stating, “The fault does not lie with him, but with those who selected him. When you bring in mediocre or average players, such results are inevitable.”
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