Former Pakistani cricket captain Wasim Akram has launched a scathing attack on young batsman Abdullah Shafiq, criticizing his on-field celebration and overall performance. The incident occurred during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL 2024) match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United.
Shafiq, playing for Lahore, caught Islamabad’s Imad Wasim for a mere four runs and celebrated by putting his fingers to his lips, which irked many fans and experts. Akram took particular offense to the celebration, suggesting Shafiq focus on improving his game rather than theatrics.
He pointed out Shafiq’s recent struggles in international cricket, particularly his dropped catches in the Test series against Australia.
“No doubt, great catch, but who is responsible for dropping 36 catches in Australia’s Test series? Who will answer for that? Abdullah should work in the drama industry rather than cricket,” Akram remarked.
Shafiq’s dropped catches, including those of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, were widely criticized and contributed to Pakistan’s 3-0 series defeat in Australia. While Shafiq’s catch against Imad helped Lahore secure their first win of the season, Akram’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about on-field celebrations and their appropriateness in professional cricket.
Lahore, currently placed last in the PSL points table, have had a turbulent season. They lost their first six matches, gained a point due to rain in the seventh, and managed a narrow victory in the eighth. Akram’s criticism comes amidst mounting pressure on the team and its players to perform better in the remaining matches.
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