Kamran Akmal lashes out at Pakistan after 2025 Champions Trophy debacle, lauds India’s consistent performances

Former Pakistan wicket-keeper bat Kamran Akmal slammed Pakistan’s performance in the recently concluded Champions Trophy. Pakistan could not qualify for the semifinal of the eight-team tournament after suffering losses against New Zealand and India.

Mohammad Rizwan’s team was outplayed by New Zealand in the opening game, suffering a 60-run loss. Subsequently, the Men in Green lost the high-octane clash against India by six wickets. Pakistan’s final group stage game against Bangladesh was washed out due to rain and thus finished at the last position in Group A.

“We are not able to defeat D teams who come to our country playing with our full teams. You are good and get respect only when your team plays well and wins,” he said while speaking on his YouTube channel “Catch And Bat With Kamran Akmal”.

Akmal showered praise on India’s consistent performances in the ICC tournament. Rohit Sharma’s team was able to go all the way in the competition after beating New Zealand in the final by four wickets.

“They have won back to back ICC events and are performing.Their system does not change after losing one series. They comeback and are a big team. We just keep losing. We were focusing on the hybrid model debate, about how much money we are getting, we were not focusing on winning and earning respect,” he stated.

Meanwhile, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unwell but no representative from Pakistan was called for the post-match presentation of the Champions Trophy final despite them being the host country for the tournament.

“The final of the Champions Trophy is done but we have been shown the mirror by ICC and by world cricket the way we played and the way we had no representation in the ceremony. The chairman was not there and not well but the tournament director was there, he could have come for the ceremony. Why did he not come? He did not come because we did not deserve it. They way we have played, our performance has been poor for last 5-6 years,” Kamran said.

“It was shameful in the ceremony. We are not capable of this because our aim was to host the event and we did it and it was successful but with that you also earn respect by playing good cricket. We have finished eighth and that is why we are being made fun of. In the ceremony no one discussed about Pakistan and how good the tournament was hosted in Pakistan,” he added.

Pakistan will next tour New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODIs.