The Pakistan team received severe backlash and criticism after registering back-to-back losses in the Champions Trophy 2025. First, the team lost its campaign opener to New Zealand, and later, they got knocked down by India in a high thriller encounter at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Be it Pakistan ex-cricketers or hardcore fans, everyone raised concerns over the team’s performance. Despite having stars like Babar Azam, Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, the team failed miserably in exhibiting intent and skill. Here’s what they said.

The Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar, did not mince his words but shared his feedback straightforwardly.
“I am not disappointed at all (by the defeat to India) because I knew what would happen,” Shoaib Akhtar’s short video said on his X account.”I am really disappointed. We can’t blame the kids (Pakistan players); The players are just as clueless as the team management is! They don’t know what to do”, he further added.
“Intent is another matter, they don’t have the skill set like Rohit, Virat, and Shubman. Neither the players know anything, nor the management. They have just gone to play without any clear direction”, said the former pacer.

Talking to a discussion panel, Pakistan’s former skipper and world-known fast bowler Wasim Akram said, “We need drastic steps. Enough is enough! We have been losing with the same players for years now in white-ball cricket. It’s time to take a bold step and bring in young players who play fearless cricket. If you want to make big changes, go for it. Give the new players six months, back them, and start preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup. We have had enough. You gave them chances and made them stars”, said furiously.

Pakistan bowlers took 24 wickets in the last five games but at an average of 60. The shocking statistic is that Pakistan’s bowling average is the second worst among 14 teams, which includes Oman and the USA, that played ODI cricket this year. What should we do now? The Chairman should return home, call the captain, coach, and the selection committee, and ask the latter what kind of selection they made. Did it look like Khusdil Shah and Salman Agha could have dismissed any Indian batter? We are screaming here, saying the squad is not okay. The Chairman told them to announce the squad with a day left. They had a meeting for an hour and walked out with the same team,” he said.

Ramiz Raja questioned team members about the intent. He said, “The Indian team is fearless. Pakistan has many issues. Rizwan’s captaincy could have been better. Our spin department was extremely weak. The playing XI selection was poor. Saud Shakeel played reckless shots, and Salman Agha did the same. You cannot expect to win a match against India with a target of just 241. Virat Kohli batted brilliantly, and his fitness is outstanding” Raja was fuming angrily.

Fans took to social media and expressed their pain in reels and memes. While people raged over not putting fighting spirit, they applauded India’s fearless approach. They praised Virat Kohli for scoring his 51st ODI century.

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