Follow UsIt was a tense affair between India and Pakistan in the Super Fours in Dubai on September 21 (Sunday). India coasted to a comfortable victory, but the match was not short of drama as the players exchanged plenty of heated words, and a few Pakistan players messed with the Indian section of the crowd with insensitive gestures.
However, when it came to the game, Pakistan were well short, and another loss could see them miss out on a chance to make it to the final.
Former Pakistan Shoaib Akhtar has questioned head coach Mike Hesson's tactics and his team selection for the crucial fixture against India. The Rawalpindi Express was particularly not impressed with Hussain Talat playing ahead of Hasan Nawaz. Coming in at four, Talat scored 10 off 11 and completely choked the momentum for his team.
“The coach should be asked the questions – where are his brains? 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,” Akhtar said on the ‘Game On Hai’ programme, as reported by Hindustan Times.
“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."
Pakistan's Asia Cup 2025 campaign hangs in the balance as they look to overcome the Sri Lanka challenge later today (September 23) in Abu Dhabi.