For the second time in the Asia Cup 2025 and seventh consecutive time across formats, Pakistan lost to India on Sunday night in Dubai.
After finishing first and second on the Group A points table, India and Pakistan faced off in the Super Four stage. India comfortably chased down the 172-run target, thanks to the 105-run opening stand between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
Following another thrashing at the hands of their arch-rivals, former Pakistan players and legends have shown their disappointment in the team and coach Mike Hesson.
Among the vocal critics of Hesson has been the former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who has once again voiced his opinion on the issue.
Shoaib Akhtar rips into Mike Hesson after India beats Pakistan again
As he reviewed Pakistan's defeat with Tapmad, Akhtar believed Hesson was one of the culprits and looked perplexed about the roles of some players in the team, including captain Salman Agha.
So far in the four matches of the tournament, Agha has scored 0, 3, 20 and 17* and took 1/9 vs UAE, which has not impressed Akhtar yet.
"The coach should be asked the questions — where are his brains? It is just senseless coaching and senseless selection of the team. It is beyond me — it feels like I am the one who is a fraud, who doesn't understand a thing after playing 15 years of cricket," said Akhtar.
READ MORE: 'IND vs PAK not a rivalry anymore' - Suryakumar Yadav's brutal response after India beats Pakistan again in Asia Cup 2025
"For the last 5-6 matches, we have been saying to pick a certain team, but no. What was Hussain Talat going to do in such a pressure game? What is Mohammad Nawaz's utility? What is the captain's utility?" he asked.
Up next in the Super Fours, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka on Tuesday, September 23, in Abu Dhabi as they look to bounce back from the defeat to stay alive in the tournament.
If both teams manage to top the table, the arch-rivals could face each other once again in the final of the competition on Sunday, September 28.
RELATED LINKS:
- Who will win the Asia Cup 2025? Latest odds and favourites
- Asia Cup 2025: TV channel online live stream and how to watch the T20 tournament from India
- 2025 Asia Cup schedule, fixtures, match times, latest results and points table
- Asia Cup 2025 Super 4: Rules, format, schedule, points and teams explained
- Top 5 bowlers with most wickets in the Asia Cup 2025
- Top 5 batters with most runs scored in Asia Cup 2025
- How to bet online on cricket in India and most trusted sites
- All the latest cricket news
- All sports betting tips, predictions and odds