Former Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram was quick to react after the team's humiliating defeat against arch-rivals India in the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday.
India got the better of the Babar Azam-led side early in the tournament, beating them by seven wickets to take the top spot in the point table with three wins out of three matches.
After the high-voltage match, Pakistan skipper Babar was seen sharing a heartfelt moment with Virat Kohli as he was gifted a signed jersey by the former Indian skipper.
While the two modern greats shared a kind gesture towards each other, social media was quick to respond with many admiring the bonding between the two batters.
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However, Akram wasn't too pleased with it. During a panel discussion on the show, The Pavilion, after the match, a fan question was read out where the person criticised the Pakistan skipper for his gesture with Kohli.
“I can see Babar is receiving two shirts from Virat Kohli,” the question read as quoted by Wisden. “Everybody is showing this clip over and over again. But after your fans are so hurt after a disappointing performance, this should be a private matter, it should not be done in an open ground.”
Akram was quick to agree as he said that it wasn't a day to do it or else it would have been done inside the dressing room.
“That’s what I exactly said when I saw the picture [getting the shirts publicly, not privately],” Akram said. “Today was not the day to do this. If you want to do it – if your uncle’s son has asked you to get Kohli’s shirt – then do it after the game in the dressing room," he said.
India, after winning the toss opted to bowl first and put up a valiant effort to bowl Pakistan out for just 191 runs in 42.5 overs.
In response, the Men in Blue faced not many problems as they chased down the target in 30.3 overs, extending their lead over Pakistan to 8-0 in ODI World Cups.
Wasim Akram questions Haris Rauf's performance
Wasim Akram didn't hold back in criticising the individual performances as well as he raised questions over Harsi Rauf's disappointing outing in the all-important clash.
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Haris looked one of the less effective bowlers in the match and went wicketless, giving away 43 runs in six overs, which added to Pakistan's woes in the crucial fixture.
“There's an attitude about a bowler. Talking about Haris Rauf, and nothing against him as he's been Pakistan's main bowler. I think that he will only pick wickets when batters go after him. I've never seen him swing the ball and pick wickets like Bumrah did today. He has pace but he has to improve his length for one-day cricket,” Akram added.