File photo of Pakistan cricket team legend Wasim Akram© X (Twitter)
Legendary Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Wasim Akram has found himself in a bit of controversy recently with some experts and former players taking aim at him. Amidst the ongoing chatter, old videos of former teammates Aamer Sohail and Ijaz Ahmed have resurfaced where they criticised Akram’s decision-making during the 1999 World Cup final against Australia and blamed his toss call for their defeat. In the past few months, the 1990s generation of Pakistan cricket team were blamed for ‘long-standing issues’ following the national side’s humiliating Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
“Wasim Akram made wrong call on toss in 1999 final that too without any team meeting. Imran told me on toss Pakistan has lost.”
Ejaz Ahmed on 1999 final debacle
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— Abu Bakar Tarar (@abubakartarar_) March 13, 2025
“When we won the toss, it was like we had already won the final. But what Wasim Akram did that day, even a street cricketer wouldn’t have made that mistake. I told him the night before, seeing the heavy rain, not to bat first. If he was under pressure, he should have called for a team meeting in the morning. But there was no meeting. When I saw Imran Khan before the toss, I greeted him. That’s when Wasim won the toss and said it was a team decision to bat first. As I was leaving, Imran Bhai called me back and said: ‘You guys have already lost the match,” Ijaz Ahmed said.
Aamer Sohail also did not hold back and said that Akram was responsible for Pakistan not doing well in the 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003 World Cups.
Real reason behind 1999 WC final loss
https://t.co/N5Olkdehdl pic.twitter.com/A3asf8Aj63
— صالح (@iisaleh97) March 13, 2025
“There were talks before the World Cup that the captain (talking about himself), who had been at the helm for two-three years, should be replaced with Wasim Akram. Wasim Akram’s biggest contribution to Pakistan cricket is that he made sure we didn’t win a World Cup after 1992. Imran Khan should be grateful to him, and he even awarded him with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2019. We could have easily won the 1996, 1999, and 2003 World Cups. You must investigate to find out who is responsible,” he said.
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