Shoaib Akhtar Blasts Pakistan Coach After Asia Cup Final Defeat

After Pakistan’s defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final, legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar came down heavily on head coach Mike Hesson and the team management. Pakistan, who looked comfortable at 113-1, dramatically collapsed to 146 all out. India, despite some tense moments, chased the target in the final over with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 being the deciding factor.

In a video shared by Tapmad, Akhtar did not hold back and targeted the team’s strategy. He stated, “It is the blame of the management who is not thinking right. Talking about senseless coaching, I would probably say. I am going to, sorry to say these kinds of harsh words, but it’s senseless coaching.” According to Akhtar, poor planning and decision-making by the coach and staff cost Pakistan the match.

Criticism of Team Selection and Batting Struggles

Akhtar strongly questioned the decision to exclude Hasan Nawaz, a player he considered a match-winner, while pointing out that Salman Mirza was also ignored. He stressed that Pakistan’s middle order had been a long-standing concern and the management failed to address it.

He said, “Again, the match-winner Hasan Nawaz, and then we have Salman Mirza not playing. Again, it became a little difficult. We are very disappointed, very hurt. It was Super Sunday and the whole nation was watching, but our middle order is already a problem. You know it, I know it, we all keep saying our top three batsmen in the middle are a problem.”

“And obviously, if you are asking too much from Mohammad Nawaz, and again, when Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf have to bat ahead, it’s questionable. Again, you expect the lower order to add 50 more runs, so we reach 175-there are too many errors. Too many mistakes.” His remarks highlighted how unrealistic it was to rely on lower-order batsmen to save the innings when the top and middle order consistently struggled under pressure.

Captaincy and Tactical Errors

The Rawalpindi Express also cast doubts on the leadership of captain Salman Ali Agha, particularly in handling crucial overs. According to him, the decision to give Haris Rauf the final over was a poor tactical move.

He explained, “Captaincy is questionable. Bowling changes-when the batters are struggling facing spinners, there was no need to bring in Haris Rauf; he leaked 17 runs in an over which was not the need. There are many reasons we lost, but again, it’s okay. It’s fine.”

While he admitted that mistakes were a part of the game, Shoaib Akhtar’s remarks reflected a deep disappointment in both the leadership and planning that contributed to Pakistan’s defeat in the high-pressure final.