'Brainless and clueless': Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram slam Pakistan management after Champions Trophy loss to India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and legendary all-rounder Wasim Akram have launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan team management following their six-wicket loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The defeat at Dubai International Stadium has virtually knocked Pakistan out of the tournament, leading to strong criticism from former cricketers.
An emotional Akhtar did not hold back in his assessment, expressing his frustration with Pakistan cricket. "I would not even talk about Pakistan cricket if I was not getting paid. Honestly, I have nothing to do with them anymore. I am requested to come here, so I come. I have no agenda to talk ill about them. Why should I waste my time?" he said in a video that quickly went viral.

Akhtar heavily criticized Pakistan's management, calling them "brainless and clueless" for selecting only five bowlers when modern teams rely on six. "You go with two all-rounders, but this is just brainless and clueless management. I am really disappointed." He also blamed the team's struggles on the lack of leadership and direction. "We can't blame the kids. The players are just as the team management is! They don't know what to do. They don't have the skillsets of Rohit, Virat, and Shubman. Neither they know anything, nor the management."
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Wasim Akram echoed Akhtar's sentiments, urging Pakistan to take "drastic steps" to rebuild their white-ball team. "We are playing archaic cricket in white-ball for ages. This needs to change. Bring fearless cricketers, young blood into the team. If you have to make five-six changes, please make them. You keep losing for six months, it's fine, but start building for World T20 2026 now," Akram said on the show Dressing Room.
Pakistan's bowling was also a major point of concern, with Akram revealing shocking statistics. "Enough is enough. You have made them the stars, but in the last five ODIs, Pakistan bowlers have taken just 24 wickets at an average of 60. That is 60 runs per wicket! Our average is even worse than Oman and USA. Out of the 14 teams playing ODIs, Pakistan's bowling average is the second worst."

Akram also blasted the selection process, questioning Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi for failing to address glaring weaknesses. "Chairman saab, please call the captain, selection committee, and coach and ask them what kind of selection they have made. Khusdil Shah and Salman Agha—did they ever look like taking wickets? I have been shouting for weeks that this squad is not good, but the chairman said they have assembled the best squad. Even the captain (Rizwan) is to blame. He is the leader of the ship, and if he doesn't know what kind of match-winner he needs, it's embarrassing."
Akram also pointed out the frustration among Pakistan fans. "You should have seen the faces of Pakistan fans at the stadium. They left after 15 overs when Pakistan were bowling. I have never seen anything like that in my life. It's unfortunate. We as a nation are very passionate, but it's frustrating."
Despite Pakistan's disastrous performance, Akhtar had high praise for Virat Kohli, who scored an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls to lead India to victory. "Hats off to him, he's a superstar, a modern-day great. I really hope he reaches 100 international centuries."
With Pakistan now all but eliminated, the calls for an overhaul in team selection and management have only grown louder.