Seven players will be dropped from Pakistan team: Akhtar

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has predicted that seven players will be dropped from the Men in Green side, soon after the conclusion of 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in England and Wales.

While sharing his thoughts on his official Youtube channel, the Rawalpindi Express was disappointed with the way Pakistan team has performed in the mega event so far.

“After the 1999 World Cup, 10 players played for next 10 years for Pakistan. In contrast, there are seven players in this World Cup squad who will be out of this side soon,” said Akhtar.

The former right-arm pacer also pointed out the reason behind Pakistan’s mediocre performances.

“Pakistan needs to bring back the right people in order to groom the side,” he said. “If you keep on bringing in average people, then you will get average performances. Until we come away from mediocre people, they will also bring in other mediocre people. A mediocre person never likes an extraordinary person as he is better than the mediocre person.”

The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Pakistan contingent has failed to live up to expectations and only have three points from five games, during the mega event so far. They are lying ninth, just above minnows Afghanistan, in the 10-team table.

Pakistan's remaining matches are against South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They will play their next match of the event against the Proteas on Sunday, June 23 at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground.