Legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram is one of the few former players who have been part of the coaching staff in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has also worked as a commentator in the league. So, when Akram took an indirect dig at the T20 league, it surprised many people online.

Speaking at an event to promote the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Akram said that the short length of the PSL makes it more attractive for foreign players. He added that leagues that run for “two-and-a-half to three months” become boring. He also mentioned the IPL in another way and said that the PSL is No. 1 in terms of talent on display.

The IPL has 10 teams and usually runs for a little over two months. The IPL 2024 season lasted 65 days. The IPL 2025 season was also planned to run for a similar time. However, due to the Pahalgam terror attack, the season ended early on June 3 after starting on March 22.

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Wasim Akram said, "The best thing about PSL is that it lasts for 34 days or a bit more next year. It’s not three months long like other league. "Bachay baray ho jatay hain, woh league khatam hi nahi hoti." pic.twitter.com/8yJ4VfaUFB

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) December 8, 2025

Wasim Akram Praises PSL, Criticises Long Leagues

"The best thing about the league is that it is played for only about 34-35 days, maybe a little more next year. It's not like three months, like the other leagues. Bacchey bade ho jate hain, woh league khatam hi nahi hoti. Foreign players, when they come to Pakistan, prefer to stay here for 35-40 days. More than that – two-and-a-half to three months – is a bit too long for everyone. Even I get bored," Wasim Akram said at an event promoting the PSL.

"Prime example is the BBL. They started off with two-and-a-half months. They realised after four or five years it wasn't working. Now their duration is about 40 days. That's it. That's the beauty of the PSL. And of course, the talent. Everybody overseas, when I talk to them, they talk about bowling in the IPL and other leagues. They say the PSL, as far as talent is concerned, is definitely No. 1 because we have quality, not quantity."

Akram's comments were not taken well by the internet.

At the same event, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi said: "My vision is to make the PSL the number one league in the world."

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) held a special roadshow at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on December 7. The event was led by cricket legend Wasim Akram, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and commentator Ramiz Raja. It was considered one of the biggest promotional events in PSL history. However, a lighthearted but sharp comment from Wasim Akram became the main highlight of the evening.

While talking about T20 leagues around the world and explaining how PSL works, Akram made a joke aimed at the Indian Premier League (IPL) for being too long. The IPL usually runs for almost two months and has around 74 matches, making it the longest T20 league. In comparison, PSL is much shorter.

Akram, who has previously been part of the IPL as a commentator and mentor, praised PSL for its short and exciting schedule. His comment quickly caught everyone’s attention.

Wasim Akram Praises PSL’s Short Duration

During the event, Wasim Akram said, "The best thing about PSL is that it lasts for 34 days or a bit more next year. It’s not three months long like other league. Bachay baray ho jatay hain, woh league khatam hi nahi hoti (Kids grow up by the time those leagues end—they just never seem to finish).” His humorous line was seen as a clear dig at the IPL’s long schedule.

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For comparison, IPL 2025 started on March 22 and ended on June 3, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning their first title. PSL has only six teams and usually lasts about a month. Its next season is set to begin in May 2026, keeping its format short, fast, and easy to follow.

Mitchell Starc believes that Pakistan legend Wasim Akram is still “the pinnacle” of left-arm pace bowling. Starc surpassed Akram on Day 1 of the 2nd Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 at The Gabba by taking 6 wickets in a 19-over spell. With the 6 scalps, the Australian pacer is the most successful left-arm pacer in Test cricket.

Starc rewrote history during the second session when he dismissed Harry Brook. Akram, widely known as the 'Sultan of Swing', took 414 wickets in 104 Test matches, while Starc now has 418 wickets in 102 matches. On Day 1 of the ongoing Australia vs England day-night Test, the Aussie pacer removed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. After the first Test of the series, Cummins and Hazlewood are out of the Gabba Test because of injury concerns. Akram himself congratulated Starc for his historic feat.

The former Pakistan international wrote from his 'X' account, "Super Starc! Proud of you, mate; it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets. Go well and keep soaring."

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Mitchell Starc named the best left-arm pacer over himself

During the post-match press conference, a journalist asked Starc if he is now the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in Tests. Denying the label, the 35-year-old chose to stay humble and kept Akram ahead of him. According to him, Wasim Akram is still better than him.

"I'll reflect on it later. Wasim is still the pinnacle left-armer. I think he's still better. I get asked all the time; I still don't know. It is what it is. I think it's still like a white ball. Today, it was a softball. A couple of Yorkshiremen, runs and wickets. Joe's batted well there. A pretty tough day's cricket. I think once that ball goes soft, it's not the easiest thing to score with. It's certainly not the easiest thing to bowl with when it's soft. Proper Test cricket. Pink ball, 9 for 320, pretty solid day's Test cricket," Starc said this in the press conference.

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Former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has landed in trouble after questioning the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its leadership policies. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has initiated an investigation against the 57-year-old following a complaint filed by PCB senior legal manager Syed Ali Naqvi.

According to NCCIA spokesperson Najeebullah Hasan, Latif has already recorded his statement in connection with two inquiries, one in Islamabad and another in Lahore. The probe comes after Latif’s recent remarks on social media criticising Pakistan’s leadership instability and captaincy decisions.

Latif had reacted strongly to the appointment of Shaheen Shah Afridi as Pakistan’s ODI captain, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Divide and rule policy is a political strategy to gain and maintain power by creating and exploiting divisions within a population, such as religious, ethnic, cricket teams or class differences.” He further claimed that Pakistan is the “only country that cannot even produce a decent captain.”

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NCCIA steps in as former players’ comments spark administrative tension

The former cricketer has been vocal in recent months about the decision-making structure within the team setup. He has publicly expressed concern over what he describes as constant power struggles and pressure on national players. Speaking earlier during the Asia Cup 2025, Latif highlighted the increasing tensions between India and Pakistan that were spilling into cricket too, referencing the handshake controversy during the tournament.

Meanwhile, legendary pacer and ex-captain Wasim Akram has also drawn attention from the NCCIA. A separate complaint has reportedly been filed against him for allegedly promoting a betting app. However, no formal notice has been issued in Akram’s case so far and the process remains at a preliminary stage.

As inquiries continue, the situation underscores the heightened oversight of public comments from former cricketers and senior figures in Pakistan cricket. With ongoing scrutiny surrounding leadership policies and off-field controversies, the PCB finds itself navigating yet another sensitive episode in its cricketing administration. Further details from the NCCIA are awaited as the investigations progress.

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has once again voiced his disappointment over the growing influence of politics in cricket. Speaking at the Cricket Impact Summit & Expo 2025 in Santa Clara, California, the “Sultan of Swing” made a heartfelt appeal for keeping the game pure and inclusive. “What I dislike about cricket is the involvement of politics,” Akram said. “Sports should always stay separate from politics. Teams should have the courage to pick players from any nation and think bigger, but sadly, that’s not happening.”

Akram, who represented Pakistan in 104 Tests and 356 ODIs, said the spirit of cricket is being diluted by off-field agendas. In an engaging conversation with former England cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent, he emphasized that cricket should be a bridge between nations rather than a victim of their differences. “During my playing days in the ’80s and ’90s, the India-Pakistan rivalry was fierce, but we were friends off the field,” he recalled. “We shook hands, shared jokes, and respected each other, even when political tensions were high. Our job as players was to promote harmony. The people would follow our example.”

Watch the video:

🗣️ Wasim Akram: "What I don't like in cricket is politics, I'm sorry." ❌ pic.twitter.com/zY7fQGAz7H

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 2, 2025

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Akram urges unity and fair governance as cricket’s global reach widens

The former Pakistan captain expressed disappointment over the lack of bilateral series between India and Pakistan since 2012. While the teams have occasionally met in ICC tournaments, full-fledged series have been halted due to strained diplomatic relations. “I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime,” Akram said with optimism.

Beyond cross-border issues, Akram also criticized political interference within cricket boards. He has previously called out the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for inconsistent selections and leadership changes, arguing that frequent reshuffles harm team stability. “Decisions should be made on performance, not connections,” he remarked earlier this year.

As cricket expands into new regions such as the United States, Akram believes the game must uphold its core values of fairness, unity, and respect. “Cricket has the power to unite, not divide,” he concluded. “If we can keep politics out of it, the sport will only grow stronger.”

Pakistan were ahead during the second innings of the Asia Cup 2025 final against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Even after putting a low score on the board of just 146 runs in their allotted 20 overs of the first innings. They were able to pick three wickets in just four overs for 20 runs, which was a huge advantage. 

The expectation was high from their expressive fast bowler, Haris Rauf, who could have controlled the contest with his pace on a slow surface. But he wasn’t regular with his line and length and couldn’t hold the situation as India looked to get an advantage with the bat in the middle overs. And the former Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, bashed Rauf’s poor bowling.

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“He is a run machine against India. I don't mean any disrespect, but he doesn’t play red ball cricket, and that is why he can’t improve. "His run-up is not the smoothest -- I was speaking to Waqar and he reiterated that not playing red ball cricket is the reason.” Akram expressed at the end of the clash.

Wasim Akram bashes Haris Rauf’s poor bowling during Asia Cup 2025 final

Rauf couldn’t follow the instructions from the captain and coach, and leaked runs to lose the momentum in the game. He gave away 50 runs in just 22 balls of the innings at an economy rate of 13.60, which never helped the pacer to show his dominance with the ball in the first innings.

“Don’t allow them to play league cricket. Any contracted player who wants a monthly salary needs to play a certain amount of FC cricket.” Akram expressed during the post-match analysis, when the former head coach of the Indian side, Ravi Shastri, also addressed the same issue.

Pakistan posted 146 runs in the first innings as Sahibzada Farhan celebrated a fine half-century before the Indian spinners went through the opponent’s batting line-up easily. India, despite the early thrill, managed to complete the chase by five wickets thanks to the unbeaten knock of 69 runs in 53 balls at a strike rate of 130.19 with the help of three boundaries and four sixes.

Cricket legend Wasim Akram openly criticized the Pakistan cricket team, while his former teammates Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik could not stop praising Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat against India in the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday.

After the handshake controversy in the group game, Pakistan was expected to put up a stronger fight. However, their resistance lasted only a short time before Suryakumar Yadav and his team secured their seventh straight win against their arch-rivals since 2022.

Asked to bat first in the Super 4 match, Pakistan scored only 171 runs, even with four catches dropped by India. The Dubai pitch was not as difficult as usual. Their top-scorer was Sahibzada Farhan, who made 58 runs and celebrated with a firing gun gesture, likely referring to the Pahalgam terror attack.

The target was too small for India, who won with seven balls to spare. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill added 105 runs for the first wicket. Abhishek was the highest scorer with a blistering 74 off 39 balls, helping India win by six wickets.

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Wasim Akram Criticizes Pakistan

Disheartened by another heavy defeat, bowling great Wasim Akram could not hold back. He said it was “tough” to watch Pakistan being beaten by their rivals.

“I am going to speak my heart out. It is tough to watch Pakistan,” Akram said on Sony Sports. “As an ex-player, I understand winning and losing. But India has outplayed Pakistan in every department over the last four or five years. One or two catches can be dropped in any game, that is fine. But when we score 91 in the first 10 overs and fail to reach 200, there is nothing to say.”

Misbah and Malik Praise Abhishek and Gill

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq praised Abhishek for his skill and calmness.

“The skill level is exceptional, and the temperament is impressive. Playing against Pakistan for the first time, he looks relaxed, like batting in the nets. When the ball lands in his zone, he hits it effortlessly. He puts the main bowlers under pressure, and after that, the team can’t recover,” Misbah said on Tapmad’s show.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik praised Shubman Gill, who scored 47 off 28 balls. “I thought Shubman Gill would stay not out. Everything about him is high quality. He doesn’t play on just one side; he can play all around the field. When conditions changed after six overs, he started rotating the strike,” Malik said.

During the group-stage clash against India, Pakistan’s premier new-ball pacer, Shaheen Afridi, wasn’t able to earn success with the new ball inside the first six overs of the innings. The Blue Brigade’s left-handed opening batter, Abhishek Sharma, drilled the first ball for a four before hoisting the second successive ball for a fine over boundary.

The former World Cup winner of the Pakistan side, Wasim Akram, has urged the veteran pacer to learn from the full delivery that dismissed Shubman Gill cheaply. He wants Afridi to learn from the Oman pacer and execute the same plan in the Super 4 stage at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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“That’s what I want Shaheen Afridi to do early on, because the whole world now knows the plan against him. They say, ‘Okay, he’ll be bowling yorkers first up.’ So Afridi needs to have a Plan B. This is the length he should be bowling. I’m fine with one-off yorkers, but not two or three consecutive ones, because if he misses even one.” Akram expressed on Sony Sports.

Wasim Akram offers special message for Shaheen Afridi for IND vs PAK Super 4 encounter

Akram also requested the Pakistan batters to read the left-arm wrist spinner of the side, Kuldeep Yadav, from the hand which would be the only way of attacking the spinner. Most of their batters had no clue of the variations of the spinner, who ended with a fine figure of 3/18 in four overs at an economy rate of 4.50.

“It’s going for a boundary with only two fielders outside the circle. He ends up putting pressure on himself. I know he thinks he’s being attacking and going for wickets, but mixing it up with length balls is better. One yorker, yes, but not straightaway, and not every ball.” Wasim Akram addressed.

“It’s just the way he (Kuldeep) bowls. They can’t read him. In the pre-show, I was talking to Sunny bhai (Sunil Gavaskar), who was a great batter. He said, ‘unless and until you can read him from the hand, you won’t be able to understand that type of bowling’. So that’s what happened.” The former Pakistan captain concluded.

No Babar Azam, no Mohammad Rizwan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formed a new-look T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025. It will be interesting to see how they perform in the tournament. Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram focused on the possibilities of the Salma Ali Agha-led team in the contest.

According to Akram, PCB made bold choices by excluding star players like Azam and Rizwan. Without these two batters, the Pakistan cricket team experienced ups and downs during their recent outings. But, before the tournament, they came out victorious in a T20I Tri-Nation series involving Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, which definitely provided them extra oxygen to breathe.

Akram opined that with a bunch of new talents, the mindset of the team has suddenly changed, which is necessary for a team which is going through a transitional phase. Acknowledging the efforts made by Babar and Rizwan for years, the Pakistan cricket legend feels that they did not meet the heights they could achieve. So, the team selectors made the correct choice to show trust in young stars. Despite criticisms, the former cricketer also said that Salman Ali Agha is a good captain to lead the team. 

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Wasim Akram hopeful about positive outcomes 

"I think this team is doing OK. They have given enough chances to Babar and Rizwan as openers for 4 or 5 years. They did well, but not as well, not as consistently, and hence the new boys, Wasim Akram said. 

"Babar is not there, Rizwan is not there. I think the idea was to move on from them, to go to these youngsters. They’ve done well; they haven’t been consistent, but at least they have the right mindset. They don’t have a fear of losing. When you have a fear of losing, you buckle under pressure. So these guys, they might lose, but I think Salman Agha is a good captain."

Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025:

Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr., Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, and Sufyan Moqim.

Cricket in the Indian subcontinent has always been known for producing world-class spinners, but over the years, some outstanding fast bowlers have also left their mark. Among them, Pakistan stood out during the 1990s for consistently developing legendary pacers.

Legends such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar became famous for their sheer pace and game-changing performances. Their ability to swing the ball at high speed made Pakistan’s bowling attack one of the most feared in world cricket. At the same time, India was seen as a batting powerhouse, heavily depending on its star-studded line-up to deliver victories.

Things began to change significantly in the mid-2010s when Virat Kohli took over as Indian captain. Under his leadership, special focus was placed on building a strong pace unit. That vision gave rise to exceptional fast bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, who turned India into a formidable bowling side.

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Wasim Akram vs Jasprit Bumrah- Who is Best? Pakistani Legend Shares His Thoughts:

Wasim Akram is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers Pakistan has ever produced, dominating world cricket during his era with unmatched skill and consistency. In today’s game, India’s Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as one of the finest all-format fast bowlers of his generation, often dismantling batting lineups with his pace, accuracy, and variations.

This rise has sparked ongoing debates on social media about whether Bumrah surpasses the legendary Akram. Fans and analysts frequently compare their impact across eras, fueling heated discussions. Recently, Wasim Akram himself addressed the question during an appearance on GEOTV’s ‘Haarna Mana Hai’ show, offering his perspective on the much-talked-about comparison between two of cricket’s most iconic fast bowlers.

Wasim Akram said, “ Jasprit Bumrah is a wonderful bowler. He has an odd action, has pace, and credit to the Indian cricket board for the way they manage him and their mindset. Comparisons between the 90s and now are impossible. He is right-handed and I am a left-armer.”

He further said, “ We keep social media debates—Begano ki Shadi Me Abdulla Diwana. Neither I care nor he cares. They are fighting among themselves. He is a modern-day great. I was in my era. I did my job. He is a very impressive bowler, I must say.”

Wasim Akram talking about Bumrah's greatness and the useless comparision b/w 2 great bowlers of different eras in his latest interview #Bumrah #WasimAkram #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/4lBJhlcVTN

— Cover Drive (@day6596) August 31, 2025

Wasim Akram Also Talks About Siraj’s Brilliance:

Recently, Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers in cricket history, praised Mohammed Siraj’s brilliant spell in England. He described the Indian pacer’s display as the best bowling performance he has witnessed in recent times, highlighting Siraj’s growing impact on the game.

He said, “ I rarely watch cricket when I'm not working, but I was glued to the last day. Siraj was full of hunger and passion – it was an incredible effort. To bowl nearly 186 overs across five Tests and still be that fiery on the final day shows remarkable stamina and mental strength.”

He added, “ He's not just a support bowler anymore. He's leading the attack and doing it with heart. Even when a catch went down– that of Brook – he didn't lose focus. That's the mark of a fighter. Test cricket is alive and kicking.”