NEW DELHI: After
Pakistan
's shocking loss to the USA in the ongoing
T20 World Cup
, former cricketer
Kamran Akmal
criticized the team and called it the "biggest insult" for the group.
In an exciting match that ended in a thrilling
Super Over
, Pakistan was taken by surprise by the
United States
, at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
T20 WORLD CUP: SCHEDULE | POINTS TABLE
The USA overcame all odds to overcome the Men in Green in their first-ever match of the season, outplaying Pakistan in every aspect of the game.
There isn't a greater disrespect for the team than this loss, Akmal said while criticizing Pakistan's performance.
"The biggest insult for
Pakistan cricket
is losing the game in the Super Over. There can't be a bigger insult than this. The USA played exceptionally well. They didn't feel like a low-ranked side. It felt like they were ranked above Pakistan. That is the level of maturity they showed," Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
"They deserved to win because they played better cricket than us. The face of our cricket has been revealed. It shows how we are taking our cricket forward," he added.
Pakistan was ahead in the match for a while. They cut down on approaching boundaries and managed to hold on to 15 runs in the last over for defense.
The final delivery needed only five runs, thanks to
Haris Rauf
's reduction of the equation. When Nitish Kumar discovered the barrier, he had the game go to Super Over. The United States defeated one of the tournament favorites, Pakistan, by five runs.
"It is a shameful performance from the Pakistan cricket team. If they lose against big teams like England, it is fine. If they lose after giving a good fight to the opposition, it is fine. But losing against a team who haven't played so many matches," Akmal said.
"What is shameful about the defeat is firstly drawing the game and then losing in the Super Over. This day will never be forgotten," he added.
Pakistan's selection of the team was questioned following the loss. The team's selection procedure has been questioned by former cricket players, including Ramiz Raja, the former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Akmal criticized the management, saying that some members' preferences are taken into account during the selection process.
"Players are selected on liking and disliking. A player performed in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), but what about the past three series in which he wasn't able to perform?" Akmal claimed.
Pakistan will face arch-rival India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday.
(With ANI inputs)
English (US) ·