• Source:JND
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Asia Cup 2025: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar slammed coach Mike Hesson for his team selection in the Asia Cup 2025 Super-Four match against India, calling the playing XI decision "senseless."

Akhtar also voiced frustration over pick all-rounder Hussain Talat's inclusion, especially considering Talat scored only 10 runs off 11 balls without hitting a boundary at No.4.

“The coach should be asked the questions – where are his brains?" Akhtar said on the ‘Game On Hai’ programme.

“It is just senseless coaching and senseless selection of the team. It is beyond me, it feels like I am the one who is a fraud, who doesn’t understand a thing after playing 15 years of cricket. In the last five-six games, we have been saying just play the right team. In an important fixture, you thought about playing Hussain Talat? How did you even think about it? What is his utility? Tell me," he added.

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Pakistan's six-wicket loss to Men in Blue in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 has put their chances of reaching the final in jeopardy.

Akhtar highlighted the need for logical decisions in team management and emphasised the importance of teamwork and logical decision-making as the Pakistan men's cricket setup hasn't won an ICC trophy since 2017.

“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 explained.

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“To fix Pakistan cricket, if I am given three years and handed the command, the children must be given confidence. I will tell them ‘Saim Ayub, son, go play… No problem, you won’t get dropped if you get out,’" he added.