‘Have we produced a batsman like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?’: Wasim Akram questions Pakistan’s batting crisis

Pakistan great Wasim Akram has expressed his frustration at the country’s continued struggle in Test cricket, claiming that the lack of quality batting talent emerging through the system has become a major problem.Speaking to the media in Lahore on Friday, the former fast bowler said Pakistan’s defeat in the home-and-away Test series against Bangladesh should have prompted the authorities to take immediate remedial measures. Instead, he felt little changed after what should have been a warning sign.Akram pointed to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which has been running for a decade now, and asked if the tournament has produced any significant batting talent for the national team.“It’s been 10 years since PSL started, but have PSL produced a single batter? Yes, we have produced some bowlers, but tell me if we have produced any remarkable batting talent,” he asked.

Akram points to India’s teenage sensation

Akram also highlighted the emergence of 15-year-old batting talent in neighboring India, an obvious reference to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an example of the kind of player Pakistan needs to produce.“I think if we develop a batting talent like the 14-year-old, we will see improvement,” Akram said.While he felt that Pakistan remained competitive in white-ball cricket, the former pacer was much less optimistic about the team’s position in the longer format, describing the state of Test cricket as “poor”.Akram also played down the importance of who takes over as Pakistan’s coach, saying that whether the PCB appoints him or Gary Kirsten, the fundamental challenge will remain as the coach will still be working with the same group of players.Rather than repeatedly changing personnel, Akram asked that the PCB’s domestic structure be given time to produce results. He believes the system should be allowed to operate for three to four years with the patience and long-term planning necessary for any improvement.Akram admitted he was as disappointed as any other Pakistani with the team’s recent performances.“Club cricket needs to be revived if we want to improve red-ball cricket. PCB should spend Rs 100 crore each in Karachi and Lahore because the talent comes from club cricket.”He also called for more consistency in the national side, pointing out that Pakistan continues to rotate players without addressing fundamental issues.He said there should be consistency in the squad but the players stay the same – they just come and go.

Akram questions the attitude of Pakistan batters in England

Pakistan’s ongoing Test series in England also came under scrutiny with Akram criticizing the team’s approach against the home bowlers.“In England in the ongoing series, they haven’t put their front foot forward, bowlers like Ollie Robinson have played when they’ve stood rooted to the crease. You have to play with guts, but it takes talent.”Akram also offered his assessment of Pakistan’s fast bowling resources, arguing that raw pace alone should not be used to judge a bowler.He said that bowling a single ball at 150 km/h was no big deal and stressed that the real test was whether a fast bowler could maintain a speed of around 140 km/h throughout the day.The former Pakistan captain also urged caution about the excitement surrounding the country’s budding fast bowlers. Rather than prejudge their potential, he said youngsters should be given the opportunity to play first.Shaheen Afridi was another topic of discussion, with Akram describing the left-arm pacer as an experienced bowler. He said he did not know why Shaheen’s pace had dropped but felt a bowler of his experience should have traveled to England.Akram also named Akif Javed as the player he would prefer if given the opportunity.“If it was up to me, I would have asked for Akif Javed because he bowled well in England recently.Akram’s comments come amid growing concern over Pakistan’s Test record and the quality of players emerging through the country’s domestic system, with the former pacer calling for a more long-term approach rather than repeated changes without addressing the root of the problem.

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