Former Pakistan fast-bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar unleashed a scathing critique of head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha following Pakistan's heartbreaking eight-wicket defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Batting first after losing the toss, Pakistan squandered a promising position, slumping from 113/1 to 146 all out in 19.4 overs, their middle order crumbling against India's spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav (4/25), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/18), and Axar Patel (2/20).
India, chasing 147, weathered an early wobble at 20/3 before Tilak Varma's unbeaten 69 off 51 balls guided them home with two balls to spare, marking their ninth title in the tournament's history. Akhtar's outburst, delivered in a video interview with Tapmad, reflects mounting frustration within Pakistani cricket circles over recurring tactical lapses in high-stakes Indo-Pak encounters.
Akhtar reserved his harshest words for Hesson, a New Zealand native who assumed the role in May 2024 after stints with IPL franchises like Royal Challengers Bangalore, accusing him of "senseless coaching" that undermined the team's potential. "It is the fault of the management, who is not thinking right. Talking about senseless coaching, I would probably say. I am going to, sorry to say these kinds of harsh words, but it's senseless coaching," the 49-year-old, known as the "Rawalpindi Express," fumed, pointing to the exclusion of match-winner Hasan Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha (likely a reference to emerging talent Salman Mirza in context) from the playing XI.
Akhtar lamented the lack of depth in the middle order, a chronic issue exacerbated by relying on all-rounders like Mohammad Nawaz and lower-order contributions from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf. "Our middle order is already a problem... You expect the lower order to add 50 more runs, so we reach 175—there are too many errors. "Too many mistakes," Akhtar added, echoing sentiments from fellow ex-stars like Wasim Akram, who recently dubbed a teammate a "run machine as bowler". This collapse marked Pakistan's seventh straight loss to India across formats, amplifying calls for strategic overhaul ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The critique extended to Agha's leadership, with Akhtar questioning his decision-making and even his spot in the lineup. "Captaincy is questionable... When the batters were struggling facing spinners, there was no need to bring in Haris Rauf; he leaked 17 runs in an over, which was not needed," he said, highlighting the fateful final over that handed India victory via Rinku Singh's boundary. Akhtar labelled Agha the "weakest link", suggesting his inclusion over proven performers strained resources in a match billed as "Super Sunday" for the nation.
Social media erupted with similar dismay, as posts from cricket accounts amplified Akhtar's video, garnering thousands of views and debates on team selection flaws. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, already under fire for the trophy presentation fiasco where India refused his handover, faces renewed scrutiny, with Akhtar's comments fuelling speculation of internal discord.
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Akhtar's tirade underscores deeper structural woes in Pakistan cricket, from inconsistent selections to adapting to spin-friendly pitches in the UAE, where India thrived under Suryakumar Yadav's guidance. Despite the pain—"We are very disappointed, very hurt," he admitted—the pacer urged resilience, noting such setbacks are "okay" in the sport's learning curve.
As Pakistan digests another final heartbreak—their first Asia Cup showpiece since 2022—Hesson's position could come under review, especially with the white-ball rebuild intensifying. For India, the win cements their continental supremacy, but Akhtar's voice serves as a stark reminder of the rivalry's emotional stakes.
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