Shoaib Akhtar expressed deep frustration following Pakistan’s six-wicket loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He questioned the talent and skills of the Pakistani players, stating that despite claims of a talented squad, they failed to deliver in terms of runs and wickets.

Akhtar compared Pakistani players unfavorably to their Indian counterparts, asking if Babar Azam could be compared to Virat Kohli or if ShreyasIyer could be matched with Khushdil Shah. He emphasized that true talent is demonstrated by scoring runs and taking wickets, which was lacking in the match against India.

Akhtar described Pakistan’s performance as “heartless” and attributed their struggles to “clueless management” and “brainless captaincy.” He noted that this was not an isolated incident, suggesting that the team’s lack of skillset and game awareness is a recurring issue. Akhtar’s harsh criticism reflects his disappointment and frustration with the current state of Pakistani cricket, highlighting the need for significant improvements in both player talent and team strategy.