Shoaib Akhtar’s “senseless” coach gets burned in Rawalpindi Rant After Pakistan’s defeat of India
For fans of the green jerseys, the cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan just got worse. Legendary fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar didn’t hold back after Pakistan lost to India by six wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match on September 21 in Dubai.
In a no-holds-barred TV rant, the “Rawalpindi Express” called head coach Mike Hesson “senseless” and asked if his own 15-year career made him the actual “fraud.” With Pakistan currently facing a tough semifinal match, Akhtar’s comments have fans talking about bigger problems with the squad.
The Fuse: A Loss That Started It All
Pakistan batted first and got to 171/5, with to Sahibzada Farhan’s tough 58. But India’s openers Abhishek Sharma (74) and Shubman Gill (47) put up a 105-run stand that ended the chase with seven balls to spare. This was India’s ninth straight loss in all formats, converting what used to be a great rivalry into a one-sided match. When Akhtar was on Tapmad’s “Game On Hai,” he focused on the coach’s decision to put all-rounder Hussain Talat at No. 4. Talat’s slow 10 off 11 balls, with no boundaries, stopped Pakistan’s progress when they were looking for more than 200. “Where are his brains?” Akhtar was furious and called the choice “senseless coaching” that stopped the innings from a promising 91/2 in 10 overs.
It’s a pattern that reminds him of prior heartbreaks, like the upset at the 2023 ODI World Cup, but Akhtar sees structural decay, not just one poor day.
Captain Under Fire: Agha’s Time in the Spotlight
Akhtar didn’t hold back on captain Salman Agha either, calling him the “weakest link” and doubting his status in the XI. Agha’s all-rounder title seems more like a courtesy than a qualification as he only scored 40 runs in four games. “Salman himself doesn’t know what he’s doing as captain,” Akhtar said, referring to tactical mistakes like powerplays that didn’t work and a middle order that was all over the place. He pushed for power-hitters like Mohammad Wasim Jr. instead of “inexperienced names,” saying that a 20-member selection committee should make decisions based on the wisdom of the crowd rather than on their own.
This isn’t a case of sour grapes; it’s a demand for responsibility. Akhtar, who once scared batsmen with 444 Test wickets, uses his past successes to show how bad picks hurt talent pipelines, just like how his unusual action caused arguments but got results.
Rivalry Reflections: Bigger Issues in the Debate
What else does Akhtar have to say? Pakistan’s drop harms cricket around the world. He told Indian reporters indirectly, “You’re beating a weak team now,” and complained about the loss of the competition that used to fill stadiums. It’s a sentiment shared by others, like Wasim Akram, who called for changes after prior losses. But there are certain good things that stand out: Pakistan’s fightback against Sri Lanka on September 24 keeps the semifinals going; it’s do-or-die.
For those who can’t get enough of the drama, here’s a tip: check out match replays on YouTube for those swing moments that keep the rivalry alive. Akhtar’s outburst isn’t just noise; it’s a push to come up with better plans. Will Hesson change his mind or stick with his plan as Pakistan gets ready for Sri Lanka? That’s what makes cricket so exciting: it’s unpredictable. What do you think about the coach problem?