Champions Trophy defeat: Wasim Akram calls for removing six senior players

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has demanded the removal of six senior players from the national cricket team following their defeat to India in the Champions Trophy.

Speaking on HUM Network’s sports channel Ten Sports, Akram said that even if the team has to drop five or six big names and face losses for the next six months, new players should be brought in and fully supported.

Akram said that the Pakistan cricket team has become accustomed to losing, and the time has come to bring fearless young cricketers into the white-ball squad.

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He urged that preparations for the 2026 World Cup should begin now, adding that the current players have been given ample opportunities.

“In five matches, Pakistan’s bowlers collectively took only 24 wickets with an average of 60,” he said.

The former fast bowler also highlighted Pakistan’s poor bowling performance this year, saying that among 14 teams — including Oman and the United States — Pakistan’s bowling has been the second-worst in ODI cricket.

Akram criticized the team management, calling on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman to question the selection committee, coaches, and five legends involved in team selection. “What kind of selection was this?” he asked.

He said that experts had warned the squad was not balanced. “We kept saying there’s still a day left to change the squad, but they held an hour-long meeting and stuck with the same team,” Akram lamented.