Shoaib Akhtar, a former Pakistan bowler, slammed captain Babar Azam’s squad for their poor performance in the first ODI, claiming that if the team’s erratic performance continues, he will “stop watching” them play. Azam was also chastised by Akthar for using “lame excuses” to justify the loss.

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Pakistan were considered favourites going into the inaugural One-Day International against an England ‘C’ side, but they were crushed by an inexperienced Three Lions squad. Despite fielding a squad with a combined total of fewer than 150 caps, Pakistan endured one of their worst defeats in recent memory, when they were bowled out for 141 and their total was chased down by the hosts with the loss of just one wicket.

The poor performance has been widely panned, and renowned Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar has also slammed the Babar Azam-led team. Akhtar remarked on his YouTube channel that he “felt sorry” for Pakistani supporters and that he would stop watching Pakistan matches in the future if they continued to blow hot and cold as they have been recently.

“I feel sorry for myself and the fans. If Pakistan continues to perform like this, then who will watch them? I will not,” Akthar said, reported Hindustan Times.

Despite England’s 9-wicket victory, it was Pakistan’s batting that had failed them. Pakistan lost two wickets in the opening over and were reduced to 26/4 after seven overs. Saqib Mahmood, a rookie pacer, wreaked havoc, and the seam movement on offer undid the visitors, who folded under 150.

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The team’s attitude was slammed by Akhtar, who also criticised Azam for downplaying the defeat. No excuse would be acceptable, according to the former speedster, who also blasted the batters for their inability to manage a smidgeon of seam movement.

The second One-Day International will be played at Lord’s on July 10 in front of a sold-out stadium.