With just two months left in the World Cup, a new controversy has landed in the Pakistani cricket camp. Former World Cup winner, Wasim Akram, has lashed at the national team management for serving biryani to the players.
The legendary seamer was not pleased with the way the team management was paying heed to the fitness of the national team, serving them biryani with the World Cup being just around the corner.
“Players are still being served biryani, you cannot compete against champions by feeding them biryani.”Wasim Akram
The Swing of Sultan feels that with key players returning to the fold, Pakistan have got a chance, but keeping the round-robin format of the World Cup in view, they will have to pay more attention to diet plans and fitness.
“It is the same format as it was in World Cup 1992, you cannot win this World Cup with a fluke, you have to play well,” said the 52-year-old.
Fitness has indeed been a major issue for Pakistani cricket. Recently, after the ODI series whitewash against the Aussies in UAE, head coach Mickey Arthur had also raised concerns over the fitness levels of the players.
"I think on this tour, our fitness standards and our fielding were not where they needed to be," Arthur said. "That's understandable when you see the likes of young Abid Ali, Hasnain, and guys like that hadn't been in our setup before. Those that had been in our setup for a long period of time, who know what the standards are, are aware we will never ever compromise on fitness."
To add onto the pile of issues, Pakistan’s ODI form over the last 15 months has been woeful. The team has lost ODI series against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in addition to a dismal Asia Cup outing in September 2018.
Pakistan Cricket Board is set to announce the World Cup squad on 18th April before the national side leaves for England to play a one off T-20 and five match ODI series.
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