Wasim Akram, the Sultan of Swing, wore his heart on his sleeve during T20 World Cup 2026 commentary. Sri Lanka’s defeat to New Zealand on Wednesday not only knocked them out but edged Pakistan perilously close to the exit door. The former Pakistan captain’s visible agony in the box captured the nation’s cricket woes perfectly.
Fresh off a Super-8 defeat to England, Pakistan’s knockout hopes are fading fast. Akram, who spearheaded the 1992 World Cup triumph and guided the team to the 1999 final, knows triumph and heartbreak intimately. Holding records as the top wicket-taking pacer in ODIs and Pakistan’s international cricket history, he commands universal respect.
Years of subpar performances from a team that’s tasted World Cup success in both formats have left icons like Akram deeply troubled. Survival now demands perfection elsewhere: a dominant England victory against New Zealand paired with Pakistan’s emphatic demolition of Sri Lanka in their last group game.
Akram’s unfiltered reaction serves as a wake-up call. Pakistan cricket, once a powerhouse, must rediscover its mojo. As scenarios align or unravel, one thing’s clear – the pressure is immense, and legends like Akram feel it most acutely.