Akhtar Blasts Pakistan Team After Humiliating ODI Series Loss to West Indies

LAHORE – Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has taken aim at the national team after their crushing defeat in the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, warning that the side’s long-standing batting flaws will continue to haunt them whenever they encounter pace-friendly conditions.

Appearing on state television after the deciding match, Akhtar didn’t mince his words. He also cast doubt over the suitability of white-ball head coach Mike Hesson for the 50-over format, despite acknowledging the New Zealander’s reputation in T20 cricket.

“Mike Hesson is a good T20 coach, but I don’t know what qualities he has for ODIs. In this format, if you don’t play quality players, this is what will happen,” Akhtar said.

The 49-year-old stressed that Pakistan cannot expect success in one-day cricket without proven match-winners across all roles.

“Unless you field established all-rounders, batters, bowlers and spinners, you won’t get a complete 50 overs. You can’t just scrape by in this format,” he added.

For Akhtar, Pakistan’s failures are rooted more in poor decision-making than individual shortcomings. “This is the result of bad policies, not the players’ fault. Your players will always be exposed on seaming tracks. Now this rebuilding process has been given a new name — making a combination,” he remarked.

The Rawalpindi Express also pointed out that Pakistan’s batting collapses become glaring whenever the ball moves around. “Be thankful Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc weren’t here. Wherever such conditions exist, our players will be exposed,” he warned.

The criticism came after West Indies ended a 34-year drought by clinching the ODI series 2-1 — their first such triumph over Pakistan since November 1991. It was also the Caribbean side’s first victory after losing 10 consecutive ODI series to Pakistan.

In the decisive third match, West Indies piled up 294 for 6 in their 50 overs, with skipper Shai Hope producing a magnificent 120 off 94 balls, laced with 10 fours and five sixes. Pakistan’s reply was disastrous — bowled out for just 92 in 29.2 overs, suffering a 202-run thrashing.

Captain Salman Ali Agha top-scored with 30 from 49 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz was left unbeaten on 23. Hasan Nawaz chipped in with 13, but the rest of the batting card made for grim reading, with Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali, and Abrar Ahmed all dismissed without troubling the scorers.

Published in Daily Pak, August 14th, 2025