Cricketer-turned-expert Shoaib Akhter lashed out on Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson after the team's five-wicket loss to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 in Dubai. Sent into bat first, Pakistan put up a dismal show with the bat in hand as they crumbled from 113/1 to 146 all out. India's spin trio Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy yet again exposed Pakistan's fragile middle-order.
Kuldeep was wrecker-in-chief with four wickets, while the other two spinners and Bumrah ended up taking two each. Chasing a modest target, Suryakumar & Co. were off to a rocky start as they were reduced to 20/3 after four overs, including the prized scalp of Abhishek Sharma (5). However, Tilak Varma stepped up alongside useful cameos from Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube to lead India to their ninth Asia Cup title. Varma ended up scoring an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls.
Also Read:Â Salman Agha alleges India of disrespecting cricket
After the game, Akhter did not hold back and lashed out at the team management, especially Hesson's senseless coaching for not choosing Hasan Nawaz in the XI to strengthen the middle-order.
"It is the fault of the management that is not thinking correctly. Talking about senseless coaching, I would probably say. I probably – I am going to, sorry to say these kinds of harsh words, but it's senseless coaching," Akhtar said on Tapmad.
With a fragile middle-order extra batter should have played: Akhter
The expert expressed his displeasure over Pakistan's recent middle-order troubles, slamming the players for not stepping up and always relying on Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf to score big in the lower order.
Also Read:Â Never seen a champion team denied hard-earned trophy: Suryakumar Yadav
"Again, the match-winner Hasan Nawaz, and then we have Salman Mirza not playing. Again, it became a little difficult. We are very disappointed, very hurt. It was a Super Sunday, and the whole nation was watching, but our middle order is already a problem. You know it, I know it, we all keep saying our top three batsmen in the middle are a problem. And obviously, if you are asking too much from Mohammad Nawaz, and again, when Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf have to bat ahead, it's questionable. Again, you expect the lower order to add 50 more runs, so we reach 175 – there are too many errors. Too many mistakes," he added.
Akhter also questioned Salman Agha's leadership in giving the last over to Haris Rauf over the two spinners, who were posing trouble to the Indian batters.
Also Read: India players mock PCB & ACC.... one trophyless upload at a time
"Captaincy is questionable. Bowling changes – when the batters are struggling facing spinners, there was no need to bring in Haris Rauf; he leaked 17 runs in an over, which was not the need. There are many reasons we lost, but again, it’s okay. It’s fine," he added.
