‘Yeh weak link tha apka’ - Shoaib Akhtar slams Sanju Samson’s selection in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad

Shoaib Akhtar, a former cricket player for Pakistan, criticised Sanju Samson's inclusion in the Asia Cup team. In the absence of older players, Samson established himself as a regular member of the T20I team and seized the opportunity to be promoted to the opening position.

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After India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match, Shoaib Akhtar did not hold back. He questioned the team's coaching and selection methods, referring to Sanju Samson as a "weak link" in the Indian lineup. Akhtar claimed that Pakistan might have lost the game much sooner if KL Rahul had been included in India's starting lineup.

“Imagine iss team mein KL Rahul nahi hain. Sanju Samson ke jage KL Rahul banta hain. Woh toh nahi hain. Patake deta hain, chipka ke.. sahi kisam ke. Toh yeh weak link tha apka Sanju Samson. Match ek over pehle gaya. Otherwise toh match itna late jan hi nahi tha. KL rehta toh, shayad yeh match paach over pehle khatam kar deta," Shoaib Akhtar said on the Pakistani ‘Game On Hai’ TV show.

The former pacer also criticised coach Mike Hesson’s team selection decisions, “The coach should be asked the questions – where are his brains? It is just senseless coaching and senseless selection of the team. It is beyond me, it feels like I am the one who is a fraud, who doesn’t understand a thing after playing 15 years of cricket,” Akhtar said

Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach for India, defended Samson, stating that although he is still getting used to the middle order, the squad thinks he is the best player for India in that position.

“Yeah, I think he has had two decent chances. And I think he is still figuring out how to play that role. I think the wicket also got a little bit tired in the Pakistan game”.

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