Pakistan cricket faces intense scrutiny following the national team’s poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ending winless in three matches and risking last place. Calls for significant changes include the removal of several players, the coach, and even the PCB Chairman. Former pacer Wasim Akram criticized the team’s diet choices, mocking their reliance on bananas during crucial matches and reflecting on an old quote about Cristiano Ronaldo’s diet plan. He urged for drastic changes in the squad to avoid playing outdated cricket and highlighted the team’s bowling failures, emphasizing the need to build a stronger team for future tournaments.
The state of Pakistan cricket is under scrutiny following the national team’s latest failure in an ICC tournament. The hosts of the Champions Trophy 2025 have exited the competition after failing to secure any victories in three matches and may end up at the bottom (based on Net Run Rate). Calls for dropping five to six players, changing the coach, and even replacing the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have emerged amid the Champions Trophy 2025 debacle. Former Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram has been particularly outspoken about the current situation.
In response to the latest disappointment, Wasim Akram expressed frustration with Pakistan’s performance. He even criticized their dietary choices during the game against India.
“I think it was during the first or second drinks break when there was a plate full of bananas for the players. Even monkeys don’t eat that many bananas. That’s what they are relying on. If it were our captain Imran Khan, he would have given me a beating for this,” Akram remarked during a post-match discussion.
He also took a jab at a past statement from former PCB chief Ramiz Raja, who claimed: “NASA’s scientists prepare diet plans for Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja says NASA’s scientists set Cristiano Ronaldo’s diet plan pic.twitter.com/Xk5W1EnneM
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 22, 2023
Referencing that statement during a talk show that included Ajay Jadeja and Waqar Younis, Akram said: “I heard that NASA is responsible for Cristiano Ronaldo’s diet. He (pointing to Waqar) knows who I’m referring to.”
Wasim Alram
“Suna hai Ronaldo ka diet plan @NASA banati hai.”
Wasim Bhai & Waqar taking a dig on Ramiz Raja pic.twitter.com/6FZKseakuo
— M (@anngrypakiistan) February 27, 2025
Akram criticized the Pakistan team, accusing them of playing ‘outdated cricket’ at a time when the pace of the game has dramatically increased.
“Drastic measures are necessary. We have been playing outdated cricket in white-ball formats for too long,” Wasim Akram stated on the show “Dressing Room,” following the defeat to India in Dubai. “This needs to change. We require fearless cricketers and fresh talent in the team. If that means making five to six changes, then do it.”
“If you continue losing for the next six months, that’s acceptable, but begin assembling a team for the World T20 2026 now,” he added.
Akram pointed out some alarming statistics, throwing Pakistan’s bowling unit under scrutiny for its continued failures on the international front.
“Enough is enough. You have elevated them to star status. Over the last five ODIs, Pakistan bowlers have taken just 24 wickets at an average of 60. That’s 60 runs per wicket.
“Our average is even lower than Oman and the USA. Among the 14 teams playing ODIs, Pakistan’s bowling average is the second worst,” he remarked.
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