Shoaib Akhtar slams Pakistan’s performance after Manchester Test defeat vs England

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar lashed out at Pakistan batsmen for letting the team down in their three-wicket against England in the first Test in Manchester on Saturday.

Pakistan were bowled out for 169 in their 2nd innings which meant that England had to chase down 277 to win the match. The hosts crossed the finish line on Day 4 thanks to a superb 6th-wicket partnership between Chris Woakes (84 not out) and Jos Buttler (75).

Akhtar blamed the loss on the failure of Pakistani batsmen to capitalise after the team gained over a 100-run lead in the first innings over England. Shan Masood's brilliant 156 saw them post 326 after electing to bat but they failed to fire once again with Yasir Shah's quick fire 33 being their highest score in the 2nd innings.

“Pakistan had a chance to put a big target but made the same mistake that they have been making since Partition. The batting let us down. We had a lead of more than 100 runs and batsmen should have capitalised on it. But the batsmen failed to stitch partnerships,” Akhtar said on his YouTube



channel.

Akhtar also called out Babar Azam for his failure to live up to expectations with the talented right-handed scoring 69 and 5 runs in the match.

“Shan Masood was unlucky but he had already played his part. Asad Shafiq got run out, it is again his fault. But Babar Azam has to come up with something good because you cannot create a name like this. You might be a good player, but you have to establish yourself as a match-winner,” Akhtar said.

Akhtar, who holds the record for bowling the fastest ball in international cricket, was also critical of Pakistan's pacers and spinners as they failed to restrict the team despite reducing England to 117 for 5 in the final innings.

All-rounder Woakes and wicketkeeper Butter stitched a 139-run stand to lead England's recovery and help the team pull off their 6th highest successful run chase in Tests on home soil.

“When Chris Woakes came out to bat why didn’t he pitch it short and hit on his head, make him feel uncomfortable so that chances would come. This is lack of aggression,” Akhtar said.