ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan vs. USA: Wasim Akram criticizes Pakistan's

Wasim Akram, the legendary bowler, has criticized Pakistan for their "pathetic performance" against the USA in the Super Over and stated that Babar Azam's team will have a difficult time making it to the T20 World Cup knockout stages. 

Before the USA successfully defended 18 runs in the Super Over to record a historic victory in Dallas on Thursday, Pakistan and the United States had combined for 159 runs in the regular period. 

"A terrible show. There are wins and losses in games. However, you must battle through to the last ball. For Pakistani cricket, it was detrimental," Akram said to Star Sports. 

"Pakistan will struggle from here onwards to qualify for the Super Eight because they have to play India (on June 9) and two more good teams (Ireland and Canada)," he stated. 

The key to Pakistan's victory in the 1992 World Cup believed that the USA's early wicket-taking marked the game's turning moment. 

After the Power Play, Pakistan faltered to 30 for three, and even though captain Babar and Shadab Khan added 72 runs for the fourth wicket, they were unable to muster much momentum after that. 

"The manner the USA took early wickets was the game's turning moment. Babar and Shadab had a brief relationship in Pakistan before nobody showed up. Pakistan's cricket was mediocre overall, with subpar fielding," he said. 

In his playing days, Akram was a virtuoso of the death bowl, and he said that Pakistan's aspirations were shattered by giving up 18 runs in the Super Over. 

"After the way Pakistan played in the first innings, I was confident that they would win while playing against the United States, as was everyone who supported Pakistan." 

"They (USA) came out to chase in the second inning. After all, scoring 19 runs in a Super Over is equivalent to scoring 36 runs in a Super Over. Bravo, USA," he said. 

USA captain Monank Patel received high plaudits from Akram for organizing his bowling arsenal and hitting the game-winning fifty. 

"The moment of the day for me was the innings of USA captain Monank Patel, the way he batted...carried his bat."He led from the front when he wore his suit. Very great cricket from the USA, and they fielded perfectly every time," he continued.