Introduction
On Sunday, February 23, 2025, Pakistan’s cricket team faced a tough defeat against India in the Champions Trophy 2025, losing by six wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The loss left fans disappointed and pushed Pakistan to the edge of elimination from the tournament they are hosting. But it wasn’t just the defeat that grabbed attention—it was the fiery reaction from legendary bowler Wasim Akram. Speaking on the DP World Dressing Room show, Akram didn’t hold back, calling out the team, the selectors, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for what he sees as deep-rooted problems. “Enough is enough,” he declared, sparking a wave of discussion about the state of Pakistan cricket.
Key Details: What Happened and Why It Matters
The match against India was a big moment for Pakistan. Known as one of the fiercest rivalries in sports, India versus Pakistan games always carry extra weight. This time, Pakistan batted first but could only manage 241 runs before being bowled out. India chased the total down comfortably, thanks to strong performances from their batsmen, finishing the game with six wickets in hand. It was Pakistan’s second loss in a row in the tournament, after a 60-run defeat to New Zealand earlier, leaving their hopes of advancing hanging by a thread.
Wasim Akram, a hero of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup win, watched the game unfold and couldn’t stay silent. He pointed fingers at the players, the captain, and the PCB’s selection committee. “It is now time to get rid of these players,” Akram said on the show. “They have been losing us ICC events for the last few years. PCB needs to take a bold step and remove these players. It is embarrassing.” His outburst came from frustration over Pakistan’s repeated struggles in big tournaments, especially against India, whom they haven’t beaten in a One Day International (ODI) since 2018.
Akram didn’t stop at the players. He criticized the selection process, naming specific examples like Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha. “Did it look like they will get out someone, Virat Kohli types?” he asked, questioning why these players were picked. He also revealed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had urged the selectors to rethink the squad just a day before the tournament began, but after a one-hour meeting, they stuck with the same group. “We had been screaming that this squad was not good,” Akram added, showing his disbelief at the lack of change.
The captain, Mohammad Rizwan, also faced Akram’s wrath. “If he doesn’t know which match-winners he needs in his own conditions, if he is unable to read his own conditions, then it’s embarrassing,” Akram said. He argued that Rizwan, as the leader, should have pushed for a better team suited to home grounds. The comments painted a picture of a team lost, unable to adapt or compete at the highest level.
The Impact: A Wake-Up Call for Pakistan Cricket
Akram’s words hit hard because of who he is—a legend who knows what it takes to win. With 414 wickets in Test matches and 502 in ODIs, he’s seen Pakistan at its best. His rant wasn’t just about one game; it was about a pattern. Pakistan has struggled in recent years, failing to reach the semifinals in the last two ODI World Cups and now facing an early exit from a tournament on their own soil. Fans in the stadium felt it too—Akram noted that many started leaving after just 15-18 overs of India’s batting, a rare sight in a cricket-crazy nation.
The loss to India wasn’t just a numbers game. It exposed bigger issues: poor planning, questionable team choices, and a lack of fight. Akram highlighted how India’s bowlers stayed disciplined while Pakistan’s didn’t, and how the batting collapsed after a promising start from Babar Azam. “Babar was looking good. Once he got out, Rizwan went in, first ball, bang, a four. The intent was there—it seemed like we would put up a good score. I honestly don’t know what happened after,” said former bowler Waqar Younis on the same show, echoing Akram’s confusion.
This defeat could be a turning point. Pakistan’s next game is crucial, but even a win might not save them if New Zealand beats Bangladesh on Monday, February 24, 2025. The team’s fate isn’t just about points now—it’s about pride and trust. Akram’s call to “drop some of the established stars” and bring in “young players who are fearless” suggests a major shake-up might be coming. He believes the current squad has had its chance and failed too many times.
Future Steps: What’s Next for Pakistan?
Akram’s outburst puts pressure on the PCB. He urged the chairman to sit down with the selection committee, captain, coach, and cricket legends to figure out what was going wrong. “PCB chairman has to call up the selection committee, call the captain, coach, and our five legends and ask them what is this selection,” he said. The selection committee, made up of Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema, along with Rizwan, is now under the spotlight. Will they listen to Akram and make bold changes, or stick to their guns?
One idea Akram pushed is youth. He wants players who aren’t afraid to take risks, unlike the current group, which he sees as stuck in a rut. “We as a nation are very passionate… It’s frustrating,” he said, capturing the mood of millions of fans. A shift to younger talent could mean new faces in the team, but it’s a gamble—new players might lack experience in high-pressure games like the Champions Trophy.
The PCB has faced criticism before for mismanagement, and Akram’s comments add fuel to that fire. He’s not alone—other former players like Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Younis have also slammed the team after this loss, calling the management “brainless and clueless.” The board might need to rethink not just the squad but how it picks and prepares players for the future.
Conclusion: A Nation’s Passion at a Crossroads
Pakistan cricket is at a low point, and Wasim Akram’s fiery words have made it impossible to ignore. The loss to India on February 23, 2025, wasn’t just a game—it was a mirror showing everything that’s gone wrong: poor selections, a captain who can’t adapt, and a team that’s lost its edge. “There were around 8-10% Pakistani fans in the ground, and they started leaving… I had not seen this in the history of Pakistan,” Akram said, summing up the heartbreak.
For a country where cricket is more than a sport, this moment stings. Akram’s call for change is loud and clear: “Enough is enough.” Whether the PCB listens and acts could decide if Pakistan bounces back or sinks deeper. As the Champions Trophy 2025 continues, all eyes are on what happens next—on the field and off it. For now, Akram’s rant is a wake-up call, a plea from a legend who still believes in Pakistan cricket, even if it’s hard to see the light right now.