NEW DELHI: The state of Pakistan cricket continues to be a topic of discussion for their former players as they weigh in on what can be done to fix their problems. Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar laid out his plan to take Pakistan cricket back on track if he is given the responsibility to run the affairs.
Pakistan faced massive backlash for suffering back-to-back defeats against India in the Asia Cup. During a discussion on Game on Hai, Shoaib Malik asked Shoaib Akhtar if he would take up the responsibility of fixing the team should the PCB approach him.
"First of all, PCB will never ask me to do this job. The reason is that I'm going to do the right thing, whatever is necessary. I'm not saying give me the power. I believe in teamwork. I believe in logic. I believe in working together. It's not about 'give me the power and I'll fix it.' No, no, no, it's not like that. I would rather have a 20-member selection committee. I will take their advice: 'What do you guys say? Tell me'," Akhtar said in a YouTube video posted by TapMad.
Akhtar compared Pakistan's young batter Saim Ayub with India's Abhishek Sharma, remarking that Ayub appeared "fearful" of failing on the big stage. He further noted that, unlike Indian cricketers, Pakistan's players lack the kind of support and backing needed to thrive under pressure.
"To fix Pakistan cricket, if I am given three years and handed the command, the children (players) must be given confidence. 'Saim (Ayub), son, go play. Abhishek (Sharma) has a license, you also play. No problem, you won't get dropped if you get out. Saim beta, the whole year is for you.' I'll see how performance doesn't come. He (Saim Ayub) is scared, poor boy," he added.
"In a PSL game, it's fine, runs happen. But you have to hit in a pressure game. Abhishek has a license, so he's hitting it."
