Wasim Akram criticises pitch for SL-Pakistan match

5 October 2012 10:17 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 98 Bookmark

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Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has lashed out at the authorities for preparing a unsporting track for the ICC World Twenty20 semi-final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

Wasim, who is in Colombo as a commentator and expert, described the pitch on which Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 16 runs on Thursday in a low scoring game as "impossible pitch to bat on".

"I should say that this pitch certainly was not in the spirit of the game. It was an impossible pitch to bat on and I am surprised they had such a surface for such a big match," Akram told Geo News channel.

The former left-arm pacer said the dry and turning pitch was a test for the batsmen and he always knew that even chasing 140 on it would be a challenging job for any side. "On this pitch 140 was like chasing 180. I don't know how you can have such a pitch for such a big match, it was disappointing," he said.

The former skipper also pointed out that the pitch was not meant for T20 cricket.

Wasim said that before the men's semifinal the women's semifinal was already been played on the pitch, which was already assisting the bowlers.

"When Pakistan batted 60 overs had been bowled on it. This is not acceptable for such a big match," Wasim, who has taken 414 Test and 502 one-day wickets, said.

The former pacer added that the "poor surface robbed the spectators of entertainment".

Wasim also criticised the umpiring in the match pointing out that a rank bad decision had cost Pakistan the wicket of their in-form player, Nasir Jamshed.

"The moment umpire gave Nasir out leg before I knew the ball had pitched outside the leg side. Such errors are unpardonable in such a big match," he said.

Other Pakistani former players also criticised the pitch, slamming the International Cricket Council for failing to properly ensure a sporting pitch for the big match.

Former Test leg-spinner, Abdul Qadir said that since T20 cricket was played for total entertainment it the duty of the ICC to ensure preparation of sporting pitches.

"People want to see runs scored and big hits in T20. Such low scoring games is okay for Test match but not in T20 cricket," Qadir said.

Former Test batsman and national coach, Mohsin Khan said he was surprised at the quality of the pitch prepared for the knock-out match.

"It meant basically the toss played too much of a vital role," said Mohsin. (PTI)

Comments - 98

Just Another Citizen Friday, 05 October 2012 03:11 PM

You have to agree after watching the West Indies innings against Australia

3 4

sanjaya abeysighe Friday, 05 October 2012 07:26 PM

person who doesn't accept the win & defeat He is not a genuine sportsman.

2 3

sanath ek Friday, 05 October 2012 06:59 PM

Waseem! Don!t act like and indian. We still have good regards to pakistan and their spectators. Please don!t spoil it.

3 3

Ishan Hannan Friday, 05 October 2012 06:37 PM

Pakistan could have won the match easily if Hafeeze had patience without throwing his wicket....Why this blame game by the paks greats!!!!Pls give the credit to Mahela's leadership...At the moment non can match to Mahela in world cricket with the limited resouces he has got to go with the young unit...Watch out guys this unit will be there till the 2015 world cup..

2 2

idroos Friday, 05 October 2012 06:03 PM

Sorry mr lapas todays curators are techinically equipped in matter of hours to turn a dusty bowl to a green cement what wasim was trying to say is to preaprare match worthy pitches

0 1

idroos Friday, 05 October 2012 06:00 PM

yes he has a point saying for the teams and the game its not a worthy pitch for a game thats the matter i think he would have said the same if pakistan had won no misgivings please

0 2

Sri Lankan Friday, 05 October 2012 05:58 PM

So it seems Wasim tampered the pitch and damaged the ball with his nails when he played those days to have a better sport and to entertain the crowd... what a gentleman.

2 3

sayan Friday, 05 October 2012 05:40 PM

person who doesnt accept the win and defeat he is not a genuine sportsman!

6 4

shakir Friday, 05 October 2012 05:26 PM

man, go tell your batsmen's how to play cricket not just swing. learn from our batters who performed better than the paki boys.

5 3

Mihil Friday, 05 October 2012 05:01 PM

I guess wasim is right. He haven't said the pitch was the reason why pakistan lost. Just that it was very difficult pitch. It looked like it has been bombed recently. They should have made a sporty pitch for the semi final. But pakistan thrived probably in the same pitch at vs Aussies game. And we played at premadasa for the first time. There's no excuse for loosing. Yet the pitch should have been sporty.

1 8

Lapas Friday, 05 October 2012 04:26 PM

Wasim, you can EAT your own words about the pitch, after todays game Australia-WI, 205 Runs, and you say low scoring pitch, SHAME ON YOU, Finding excuses for losing a game

6 3

rohan Friday, 05 October 2012 03:39 PM

win the toss,bat first,win the match type wicket.not good for t20 cricket......2nd semis.......looks like another KABAL WICKET

1 3

sham Friday, 05 October 2012 03:37 PM

CRY BABY...........

5 1

rohan Friday, 05 October 2012 07:34 PM

it was a powdery pitch.not good for t20 world cup.good for BEACH CRICKET

2 3

Dileepa Friday, 05 October 2012 02:25 PM

This pitch more support for pakisthani's because they played with four genuine spinner like Ajmal,Raza,Afridi and Malik
but SL play use only two spinners Mendis and Herath
And SL play first time in Premadasa in this tournament they haven't any experience about the condition
But Pakisthani's play their super matches here they have good undestanding about the conditions than SL
Remember Sanga got wrong decision against him with England Match.But they would'nt criticised it because that is the nature of the cricket
Then how you tell this is unfair for pakisthan
Shame On You Wasim!!!!!!!!!!!

6 8

rohan Friday, 05 October 2012 02:09 PM

please please get a better and a fair pitch for the 2nd semi and final....wasim is right.it was a KABAL pitch for a icc t20 semi final

6 7

Trehan Munasinghe Friday, 05 October 2012 01:53 PM

Mr. Wasim Akram do note that Sri Lanka and Pakistan both played on the same wicket... Pakistan had played more matches in the run up during the SUPER 8's in Colombo... As an unbiased Commentator you should be neutral in your comments. What would you and Ramiz Raja say if Pakistan won the match ? ?
Don't loose the respect we Sri Lankan's have for you....Unlike the cry babies of India.

3 0

Cobra Friday, 05 October 2012 01:50 PM

Like the bad carpenter blaming his tools. Wasim I have the utmost respect for you but this is an absurd statement you have made. Didn't you realize that the pitch whether good or bad effected both teams equally? It was simply a matter of who played better cricket in this game and the Lions came out on top!

2 1

mnsmart Friday, 05 October 2012 01:46 PM

Even Ramis Raja, at the awards ceremony , commented as the pitch is useless, but the Pak skipper who did not agree with Ramis Raja, but commented that there were lapses in the batting & fielding that led to there downfall. Sri Lanka too played in the same pitch, but Mahela exploited the situation positively. suppose if Pakistan won the match, these guys would have praised the pitch. some reason to hide the face.

2 4

Lanka Lion - Sydney Friday, 05 October 2012 01:30 PM

Hope we will have a good and sporting wicket for the finals so that there's good entertaining cricket from both teams otherwise the whole purpose of T20 cricket will be lost. Sri Lanka should make sure that they don't prepare a death-trap like the one in the test match against the aussies in Galle last year which backfired on them and Sri Lanka lost the game and the test series.1-0. The ICC should take a keen interest regarding the nature of the wicket being prepared for the finals on Sunday between the home team and the winner of today's game.

4 5

Jayaa Friday, 05 October 2012 01:16 PM

Wasim. This is an international contest for supremacy. It is not a carnival or for charity.

6 7

Fair N Square Friday, 05 October 2012 01:14 PM

Didn't know Wasim could be such a cry baby. The CAPTAIN ( who mattered) was a gracious in defeat. He didn't blame the pitch even when Ramiz Raja tried to feed him words. All he said was that the better team on the day won. NOW that's what a sportsman is..

Hats off to Hafiz for being a gentleman.

Boooooo to Ramiz, Wasim, Qadir,Moshin Khan. The senior retired Captains need to learn a thing or two from Hafiz

6 4

Dinithi Friday, 05 October 2012 01:01 PM

The pitch was an entertaining pitch for Sri Lankan home team. We just loved that game. 95% of the people in the ground loved it. So it was very entertaining. But the losers obviously did not enjoy it.

6 3

Ghost Friday, 05 October 2012 12:56 PM

Mr. Wasim Akram has always being an un sporty player in the field. History tells that. So how can he talk about a sporty pitch? huh..absurd.

7 3

Bimu Friday, 05 October 2012 12:49 PM

Poor shot selection cost the match for Pakistan , once they were well ahead than SL , Hafeez was hammering the SL bowlers , unfortunately he threw away his wicket otherwise it would have been a different story.

5 5

chandrasoma Saturday, 06 October 2012 02:22 AM

what would be the comment if pakistan have won the match?

2 2

Silmy Sunday, 07 October 2012 12:00 AM

When the 12th over being bowled Dav Whatmore commented saying Pakistan is confident of winning. Until such time it was a balance game. Pak lost there way from thereon because of their wrong shot selection. Mr Akram only your batsmen to be blamed for loosing the match via DM Android App

0 0

Dave Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:34 PM

These Guy can never accept defeat!
No wonder Asia still looks at the west for the best in all formats.

0 2

Dave Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:30 PM

Very unprofessional comments made by a professional cricketers !

0 2

Lahi Somaratne Saturday, 06 October 2012 02:39 PM

Didn't Sri Lanka also bat on the same pitch?

Sour grapes!

0 1

suja-ul-haq Saturday, 06 October 2012 11:16 AM

pakistan ahve beaten srilanka many times in icc event ,lankans are afraid of pakistan.ranatunga told he dont want pakistan in 2011 world cup final as they can beat srilanka.even in ind-pak match bcci should ahv asked srilanka to prepare a slow pitch as bcci and slb are so close.srilanka always play like this and win.pakistan is the true champion proud of pakistani team

2 0

ISSADEEN Saturday, 06 October 2012 07:45 AM

BOTH WASIM AND RAMIZ RAJAH SHOULD BE STOPPED FROM COMMENTATING IN INTERNATIONAL MATCHES THEY ARE NOT NEUTRAL.THEY BOTH SHOULD SIT WITH THE SPECTATORS AND WAVE THEIR COUNTRY FLAGS

1 2

Amila Saturday, 06 October 2012 06:40 AM

Gayle is Gayle, Others are Failed!
R.I.P Aussies! (Simply How to kill a kangaroo,,,,just send a Caribbean)
On Sunday: Match of malinga vs."Gangnam" Gayle on Graceless pitch.
Phase is off and Spin is on
With some class players on both sides

Can’t wait till Sunday!

2 0

Gayle-will-fail Saturday, 06 October 2012 06:31 AM

Wasim, Sri Lanka did not bat on a different pitch.
If you say they batted first and had an advantage, it is silly. Sri Lanka could not plan for such an advantage as the winner of the toss cannot be planned anyway. If Pakistan won the toss, then they would have had that advantage. That is how it is in any game, whatever the pitch is like,
You talk like a gentleman generally but when it come to the crunch your true colours are shown.

1 2

Mohammad Salimullah Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:31 AM

I watched the Sl- Pakistan match on TV and the way, Sri Lankan batted looked some problem with the pitch as the openers of Sri Lanka have never played against their nature. They always play attacking cricket. I am sure that they were told about the behavior of the wicket by the groundsman. About the wicket, only experience teaches you but we had lost the toss. It was noted this wicket would be very difficult for batting second. Credit goes to the SL Captain who knew that Pakistani batsmen will use the long handle and will never go for the singles & doubles. No doubt wicket plays the vital role in such matches but instead of going for singles & doubles, they were trying for the boundaries whereas they had already been trapped by the SL Captain. Our batsmen made mistakes resulting to loose the match. When they will learn from their mistakes? No doubt SL played better and won the lost match. Wasim Akram & others have said the truth and one should not ignore the facts.

3 1

Confused Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:14 AM

People ! Windies played in the same pitch right? #@^&#@!

1 2

Migara Perera Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:22 AM

Not because of Pitch, it was a superb bowling by srilankan team. Pak's batters do not have a clue what is like variety of bowling. If Pak's won what would be the comment?

1 0

Ahmed Khan Friday, 05 October 2012 12:47 PM

the match between pak Vs Aus had the almost same pitch condition. But no comments from Mr. akram

5 7

lk Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:55 AM

DM readers have so much cricketing knowledge they even can give couple of inputs to Sir Don Bradman.

1 0

Doctor who!! Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:47 AM

I'm sure Wasim bet a big amount on pakistan winning the match but now his reaction tells everything. Also when Wasim commentating he always criticise the players...everyone knows he's one of the best before but he's hey days are gone I'm afraid

1 1

hawkins Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:48 AM

Wasim listen to this wise old man

2 6

thomas Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:48 AM

Dear Wasim Bhaiya,
You played against australia smilier pitch you have not complained about the pitch, now you guys lost the match. talking like a school kid. You are just a kid out there to make silly comments.

1 1

Chathu Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:22 AM

SLC does not prepare/choose pitches for these tournaments. It is ICC who makes the decision.

1 0

citizen Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:19 AM

Wasim if pakistan had won the toss, then the pitch is good for t20. Hafeez, Afridi,poor shot selection cost the match. dont blame the pitch. Professinals should know to handle any type of pitches. if they had gone for run a ball without big hits they could have made it at the end.

1 1

Sarath Jay Friday, 05 October 2012 10:35 PM

I lost all my respect for Wasim Akram. Both sides used the same pitch. It's very interesting to watch a low scoring thriller. Please learn how to accept the defeat with grace

1 1

ayesha Friday, 05 October 2012 09:18 PM

literally srilanka is our friend we hope that they will win inshallah

1 1

ayesha Friday, 05 October 2012 09:14 PM

we love srilanka and specialy how they reacted after winning game but the thing is that our main player nasir jamshed was given out when he was not at the very wrong time and if you can check no ball,run out ,even catch so why not lbwand it was umpire's mistake not srilanka's.dont mind it as we dont know sportman sprit hafeez didn't said single word about both thing.

0 1

SK Friday, 05 October 2012 08:43 PM

Australia Pakistan match was played in the same pitch, why wasim hadn't got any concern about that... ???

1 2

Malcolm F Dias Friday, 05 October 2012 08:20 PM

All forms of the game should result in Pakistan winning. Else, the pitch, the weather and the Umpires are to blame.

Bad losers. Very bad losers.

1 0

Kajja Friday, 05 October 2012 10:48 AM

Had Pakistan won the match this low scoring pitch story would have never concerned them.

11 58

Madushan Friday, 05 October 2012 11:10 AM

Actually Pakistan had played 3 matches in R.premadasa stadium, and they had defeated 2 major teams of Australia and South Africa, but Sri Lanka hadn't played in that pitch in this tournament. So you all need to understand that this is not about pitch, this is about ability guys. You all will see the final match how they will play. watch yourself guys. way to go Sri Lanka!!

7 31

D.P.Liyanage Friday, 05 October 2012 11:10 AM

Now everybody says grapes were sour. What would be the comment if Pakistanis have won? Umpiring decissions also equally spread. What about the benefit of the doubt given to Pakistani player(batsman) on a runout(Decission of third Umpire)?

8 13

Azmi Friday, 05 October 2012 11:07 AM

Wasim what about Pakistan beat Australia by 32 runs in a Super Eight match same ground slow pitch, now you blaming after your team loss.... Go to hell,

8 45

Saman Friday, 05 October 2012 11:07 AM

Always losers complain about the wicket or umpiring decisions.
This is not the first time it happened.

9 24

Ben Friday, 05 October 2012 11:06 AM

No wonder international matches are not played in Pakistan.

24 86

srinath.gunaratne Friday, 05 October 2012 11:06 AM

Is it not a fact that pitches are not set for entertainment, They are set for hosts to win matches. It is home side advantage!

20 11

Ramzeel Friday, 05 October 2012 11:01 AM

Cry baby Waseem Akram. Hafeez had the grace to accept defeat.

8 33

Achari Friday, 05 October 2012 11:00 AM

kOTANA KUKULATA KOHETH EKAI.

7 30

Ravishan Friday, 05 October 2012 11:05 AM

Wasim,blame Afridi for the way he batted and not the pitch&umpiring.

6 32

pj Friday, 05 October 2012 10:53 AM

I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as a good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent.
-Sue Wicks -

7 33

farook Friday, 05 October 2012 10:56 AM

Wasim Akram should accept the defeat as there is a saying THAT A PERSON WHO CANNOT DANCE WILL SAY THE DANCING FLOOR IS CROOKED

9 29

Anver Friday, 05 October 2012 10:54 AM

The bad pitch was the same for both sides, both teams have almost equally talented bowlers and batsmen. There is no rationate in blaming the pitch for their failure.

7 45

shakibay Friday, 05 October 2012 11:10 AM

Is cricket only for Batsmen?

5 19

Wara Friday, 05 October 2012 10:42 AM

SL too played in the same pitch.

15 66

piss Friday, 05 October 2012 10:45 AM

Toss was the only vital factor, Otherwise both teams have played on same pitch. Don't make silly excuses. How mahela and Sanga have made such facnating cricketing shots, if the pitch is that bad. Pakistanies simply could not make it, as simple as that.

1 6

Rajapuka Friday, 05 October 2012 10:40 AM

sour grapes.... oh so cricket is now all about slogging like Elle? Why not have soft cricket like soft ball and have a sixer tournament where the 'bowler' gives out sixers

14 24

K. jAYASINHA Friday, 05 October 2012 10:38 AM

WOULD YOU HAVE THE SAME CRITISISM IF PAKISTAN WON THE MATCH. DONT BLAME THE FLOOR SAYING THE FLOOR WAS CROOKED WHEN YOU DONT KNOW TO DANCE. BE SPORTIVE AND HAVE THE CORRECT SPIRIT.
AND ADMIT THAT SRILANKANS WERE BETTER THAN PAKISTANIS. AFTERALL THEY ALSO PLAYED THE GAME IN THE SAME PITCH.

3 5

Ruwan Friday, 05 October 2012 10:35 AM

really unprofessional from sultan of swing..even Ian Chappel told its not fair to blame curators since it takes hell of a lot of time to grow green grass on a surface which make the pitch bouncy. with the amount of cricket playing here for the last 03 weeks, its a fair pitch and far away from unplayable..

And about umpiring, how about sanga's out in the game versus England. Wasim bhai, why u r crying like a baby??

1 7

Demo Friday, 05 October 2012 10:34 AM

Well said Wasim, you comment is balanced and it will not be the same pitch for the final.

36 39

sira Friday, 05 October 2012 10:32 AM

this is not a specicial thing. Any host country prepares pitches suit to their own team.Mr Wasim!!! could you tell any host country prepare pitches aginst this theory? Did you listen to your(Pakistan) captain's view about the pitch?
you are very similar to Doni!!

1 5

true sri lankan Friday, 05 October 2012 10:36 AM

Why all the complains are coming after the semifinals? Because Pakistan lost the match.

23 55

Geff Boycott Friday, 05 October 2012 10:30 AM

actually pitch is not ideal for twenty 20 version, but you should know to exploit the situation well.

14 84

diz Friday, 05 October 2012 10:34 AM

Natanna bari minihata polawa adailu hikzz

23 56

Ruwan Alvis Friday, 05 October 2012 10:25 AM

Its true comment by Pakistan team. Why ICC selected this pitch for big match?

71 43

Donga-The-Bonga Friday, 05 October 2012 11:37 AM

To each his own..... we don't tell Pakistan or Australia how they should prepare their pitches, so please PLEASE.... don't tell us how to prepare ours!

5 13

true sri lankan Friday, 05 October 2012 12:28 PM

True pitch was slow ... but its not a excuse....

5 6

Upali Mapatuna Friday, 05 October 2012 12:14 PM

Same pitch for both sides. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

6 10

Aney Machang Friday, 05 October 2012 12:11 PM

Wassim Akrams sugar levels have gone up!

7 11

Mohamed zahid Friday, 05 October 2012 12:06 PM

professional cricketers are must adapt to any kind of surfaces. they can not blame for pitches. also cricket is a mind game and it should properly executive. the hidden part of this shows, our cricketers are masters of reading the conditions. well done Sri Lanka.

6 17

Ravi Friday, 05 October 2012 11:59 AM

C'mon gentlemen !!, Accept the defeat

7 11

husny Friday, 05 October 2012 11:51 AM

What if pakistan chased that 140 target and win it. would you still criticises the pitch? now don't start to blame the pitch just because you ppl lost. because of this pitch only you guys won with ausyzzs and SF...

8 11

Blue Ribbon Lokka Friday, 05 October 2012 11:51 AM

Mr.Akram, If you dont know how to DANCE , please dont blame the Floor as Crooked, and if your team has won you will
not give any Comments, So pleas Cool down

8 15

Public Abilik Friday, 05 October 2012 11:49 AM

Yako! it's not like we were not there? If we could do it, why couldn't they? Sorry guy, they were not as good as our guys.

8 12

Abdul Friday, 05 October 2012 11:46 AM

We all liked the entertainment we had last night, not at all feeling robbed, teams should be able to play in all sorts of pitches to become champions, just flat track bullies will not do the job

7 19

keth Friday, 05 October 2012 11:42 AM

How did the SL team batted on this pitch?

7 21

kuriosity Friday, 05 October 2012 11:39 AM

So now the pakis have also become like the Indians? blame everything else other than playing badly or the better side winning.

7 18

RegularJoe Friday, 05 October 2012 10:21 AM

yawn... at least the pak skip had the good grace to accept defeat these are sour grapes from the veteran. you had my respect was but slowly loosing it.

37 187

MAHESH Friday, 05 October 2012 11:36 AM

Sir, don't forget that In the same pitch your team played and won the match against Aus, then got the chance to played in semi. You didn't talk about the pitch on that day neither Aus team. Accept that Pak lost a semi final.

7 14

Abdul Hamid boomboom Friday, 05 October 2012 11:32 AM

Sure Sure Dudes, blame it on the ground, sounds so funny , Final Result Sri Lanka WON the match and through to the Finals. .

5 11

geriatrix Friday, 05 October 2012 11:25 AM

"poor surface robbed the spectators of entertainment".... are you freaking nuttzz??? Until the last over there was tension in the match!!!

5 10

Lankan_Kolla Friday, 05 October 2012 11:20 AM

Booo hoooo .............. sour Grapes

6 12

lalitha Friday, 05 October 2012 11:22 AM

well they didnt complain when they beat australia on a slow n turning wicket

6 11

Ashoka Friday, 05 October 2012 11:17 AM

True. Batsmen of both sides struggled to score on this track. Not in best interest of the spirit of the game.

9 11

Rohan Friday, 05 October 2012 11:17 AM

SL and Pakistan played on the same pitch. So what about your complaint. We are aware you are unhappy at the result. Pakistan canot win all the time and just to remind you that this is a game of cricket.

6 17

Andrezja Friday, 05 October 2012 11:16 AM

"Robbed the spectators of entertainment"??? Maybe I was watching another game coz until midway of the 39th over of the game, I didn't know who would win. Both teams had to grind and it was a refreshing change to watch instead of a run feast.

6 24

suny Friday, 05 October 2012 11:14 AM

Have lot to say after loosing. India also said one match was hit by the rain and therefore they could not come to semifinals.

Umpires do make mistakes and it is common to all teams. Please do not cry after loosing

9 14

dcold Friday, 05 October 2012 11:13 AM

Oh yah Wasim Bhai..
We all know how good Paki Pitches, umpires and fans (with mirrors).
At least be happy this time you don't need to tamper the pitch..it already done for your boyz

8 19

buwa Friday, 05 October 2012 11:15 AM

"I cant blame the pitch, it is same for both teams" - Hafeez. But it is true that it affects T20 entertainment. Because in T20 we need to see frequent massive sixes and runs flooding.

15 10

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