Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Wasim Akram Blames Batting Talent Gap for Pakistan Test Struggles
Wasim Akram is worried about Pakistan’s poor results in Test cricket.
He said the team does not have enough strong new batters.
He questioned whether the Pakistan Super League has helped produce important batting talent after 10 years.
He said Pakistan’s losses to Bangladesh should have encouraged officials to make changes.
Akram believes club cricket is an important place for finding young players.
He wants more money spent on club cricket in Karachi and Lahore.
He also said Pakistan should give its domestic cricket system several years to work.
Akram asked selectors to keep a more consistent team.
He added that fast bowlers must bowl quickly for long periods, not just deliver one very fast ball.
Wasim Akram blamed Pakistan’s Test struggles on a shortage of quality batting talent emerging from domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League.
He said Pakistan’s home-and-away Test series defeat to Bangladesh should have prompted corrective action from cricket authorities.
Akram questioned whether the Pakistan Super League had produced a noteworthy batter during its first decade, despite producing bowlers.
He urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to revive club cricket, invest in Karachi and Lahore, and maintain the domestic structure for three to four years.
Akram called for consistency in selection and said sustained pace, rather than occasional 150-km/h deliveries, defines a great fast bowler.
- Who
- Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram discussed Pakistan cricket’s problems.
- What
- Akram attributed Pakistan’s Test struggles largely to a shortage of quality batting talent and called for stronger grassroots development.
- When
- Akram made the comments on Friday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- He spoke to the media in Lahore, Pakistan.
- Why
- He said Pakistan needs better batting development, revived club cricket, patient domestic planning, and more consistent selection.
- Main concern
- A lack of quality batting talent emerging through Pakistan’s domestic system and the Pakistan Super League.
- Recent warning sign
- Pakistan’s home-and-away Test series defeat to Bangladesh.
- Pakistan Super League
- Akram said it had been running for 10 years but questioned whether it had produced a noteworthy batter.
- Club cricket proposal
- Akram urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to spend 100 million rupees each in Karachi and Lahore.
- Domestic structure
- He said the existing structure should be allowed to operate for three to four years.
- Fast-bowling standard
- Akram said sustained bowling at about 140 km/h matters more than delivering one ball at 150 km/h.
- Player development
- He called for consistency in team selection and cautioned against judging young fast bowlers too quickly.