Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has called out ex-Pakistani cricketers for their harsh criticism of the team following the disastrous Champions Trophy campaign. The Men in Green exited the group stage without a win, suffering defeats to New Zealand and India, and a washout against Bangladesh.
Sunil Gavaskar criticized the tendency of some former players to publicly ridicule the current squad, questioning their own records. “When you see snippets of former Pakistani cricketers having a go at the current team, you have to ask, ‘Did you win every match that you played for Pakistan? You didn’t.’ This team is struggling a little bit, so lift them up instead of criticizing,” he urged.
Gavaskar emphasized the importance of support from former players, stating that the current team needs encouragement during this difficult time. “I think the Pakistan team needs the lift and support not just from fans but from the ex-cricketers as well. Sometimes their criticism is very harsh. Not all of them, but most do this. They comment as if the teams they were part of never lost a game,” he remarked.
The legendary batsman acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans but stressed that former players should understand the nature of the game. “I can understand the common fan who gets disappointed, but those who have played the game know that winning is not always possible. There will be losses, even to some ordinary teams,” Gavaskar explained.
He further pointed out that not every player performs at their best in every match, highlighting the unpredictability of cricket. “Not every time a batter goes out does he score a hundred. Not every time a bowler bowls does he take five wickets. This support is essential for the current Pakistan team,” he added.