‘If I were Bangladesh captain, I’d make sure these guys see psychologist’ – Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram came up with an interesting remark on Bangladesh side that crashed out of the T20 World Cup on Sunday (November 6) with a loss against his countrymen. The former Pakistan skipper said if he were the Bangladesh captain or coach, he would make sure his players immediately visit a “psychologist”.
The fast-bowling legend was delighted with Pakistan’s victory that took them through to the semifinals stage. But as a sportsperson disappointed by the performance from Pakistan’s Bangladeshi counterparts, especially their batting.
He was displeased by the collapse that the neighbours suffered. From being in a position of reasonable strength at 73 for 2, Bangladesh could only managed to reach a total of 127/8 by the end of the 20th over. One that Pakistan chased down with nearly two overs left in the proceedings.
Speaking of the same on Pakistan-based ‘A Sports’, Wasim Akram took the Bangladeshi batters to task and demanded they be sent to a mental specialist to revisit their intelligence on how to approach an innings. On a dryish wicket, Bangladesh came about 15-20 runs short of putting Pakistan under real pressure in what was a virtual quarterfinal in Adelaide.
Wasim Akram on Bangladeshi batting
“Bangladesh have to blame themselves,” said the ‘Sultan of Swing’. “They should. If I was a captain of Bangladesh team or the coach of Bangladesh team, I will make sure these guys see psychologists. Because at one stage, Shanto was on 54 and things were going well then.”
“They were 73 for 2 and I thought they’ll get to 160. But then Shanto stepped out and played a weird shot off Iftikhar and was bowled. If you had kept on taking singles, the score would have reached 155.”
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Wasim Akram was especially critical of the way Bangladesh handled a resurgent-looking Shaheen Afridi, the left-arm quick, who for the first time in the competition posed his usual threat.
The Pakistan spearhead finished with figures of 4 for 22 off his 4 overs. Wasim argued Bangladesh could’ve approached Shaheen with the care and attention he deserved and looked to play him out with safety.
“In an international level, when you see a certain bowler was coming to bowl and you know that the opposition captain has brought him to take wickets, that’s where you don’t play a shot. You try to rotate the strike in that particular over but the Bangladesh players made up their minds to hit him and hit Shaheen only,” he said.
