Wasim Akram Responds to Criticism Over 1999 World Cup Final Loss
Former cricket legend and “Sultan of Swing,” Wasim Akram, has addressed the criticism he has faced from fellow players, attributing it to being embroiled in controversies.
Recently, videos of former Pakistan cricketers Aamir Sohail and Ijaz Ahmed have gone viral on social media, with both accusing Akram of being responsible for Pakistan’s loss in the 1999 World Cup final against Australia.
In an interview with a private TV channel, Aamir Sohail recalled that just a few months before the World Cup, there was a debate about whether the captaincy should be handed over to Wasim Akram. This eventually happened, but Sohail claimed that Akram’s leadership did not yield the desired results.
Sohail further stated that Akram’s most significant contribution to Pakistan cricket was that, after the 1992 World Cup victory, Pakistan failed to win another title. He emphasized that Pakistan had the potential to win the 1996, 1999, and 2003 World Cups, and called for an investigation into the reasons behind these defeats.
Interestingly, Sohail also mentioned that former Prime Minister Imran Khan should be grateful to Wasim Akram, which is why he honored him with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2019.
Another former cricketer and member of the 1999 World Cup team, Ijaz Ahmed, shared his perspective on the final. He recalled that when Pakistan won the toss, it felt like they had already secured the victory. However, he criticized Akram’s decision-making, stating that even a child playing street cricket would not have made the kind of mistake Akram did that day.
Ijaz revealed that the night before the final, he had advised Akram not to bat first, especially after observing the heavy rain. He added that if Akram was under pressure, he should have called for a team meeting the next morning, but no such discussion took place.
The criticism of Akram resurfaced during a discussion about the national team’s performance in the ICC Champions Trophy, featuring former players Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Sana Mir.
Mohammad Hafeez remarked that while the ’90s team produced several mega-stars for Pakistan, they never won an ICC event after 1992. He noted that the team’s performance in 1996 was subpar, and although they reached the final in 1999, the loss devastated the nation.
Later, former cricketer Rashid Latif, without naming anyone, criticized the players of the ’90s, suggesting they should be kept away from the Pakistan Cricket Boardβs (PCB) management matters.
The ongoing debate highlights the lingering disappointment over Pakistan’s missed opportunities in the 1990s and the scrutiny faced by Wasim Akram, one of the country’s most celebrated cricketers.
