ISLAMABAD: Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh has strongly criticized prominent ex-Pakistan cricketers for their harsh comments on the national team’s performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan, who were hosting the tournament for the first time since 1996, failed to progress to the next round after losing their Group A matches to New Zealand and India. The team’s poor performance led to widespread criticism, especially after their 60-run loss to New Zealand and a six-wicket defeat to India.
Yograj Singh, the father of former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, expressed his disappointment with ex-Pakistani cricketers like Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, accusing them of attacking the current players without offering solutions. He was particularly upset with Akram’s comments regarding the Pakistani cricketers’ diet, highlighting an incident where bananas were served during a drinks break, which Akram found bizarre.
“Wasim Akram should be ashamed for saying such things. Shoaib Akhtar, another big player, is also making negative comments. Wasim earns money from commentary, so why doesn’t he come to Pakistan and help build the team instead of criticizing?” Yograj said in an interview with News18.
Yograj, who is known for his tough approach to coaching, offered to coach Pakistan and help them rebuild their team within a year. “I can go to Pakistan, build the team in a year, and make them remember it. It’s all about passion and dedication. You have to put in the effort and work hard for your country,” he said.
Yograj also called out former players like Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar for not taking concrete steps to improve the team, suggesting that if they truly cared, they would organize camps and work directly with the players.
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“Do you think PCB will say no if Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis or Shoaib Akhtar come and say ‘we want to take a camp of six months to improve the team’s performance’? But no, they just make money through commentary and criticism,” Yograj added.
Pakistan, the defending champions, are set to play their final match of the tournament against Bangladesh on February 27, 2025.
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