Shoaib Akhtar Defends Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis After Hafeez Questions ’90s Legacy

A heated debate has sparked in Pakistan cricket circles, with Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Hafeez locking horns over the legacy of the country’s 1990s cricket icons. The conversation kicked off when Hafeez questioned the impact left by legends like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, suggesting that despite their star power, they failed to bring home an ICC trophy during their era.

Speaking during a discussion surrounding the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Hafeez said, “I admire the players from the ’90s, but when we talk about their legacy, the reality is they didn’t win us an ICC trophy. They were part of World Cups in 1996, 1999, and 2003, and although we performed well, we fell short each time. The only final we made it to was in 1999, and even that ended in a heavy defeat.” Hafeez argued that the real legacy was left behind by Younis Khan’s side, which won the T20 World Cup in 2009, and that more recent triumphs like the 2017 Champions Trophy were more impactful in inspiring the next generation. 

But Shoaib Akhtar wasn’t having any of it. The ‘Rawalpindi Express’ hit back on a PSL-based TV show, defending his former teammates fiercely. “There were countless occasions when Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis won matches and series for Pakistan. I’ve seen them win at least 60 games just with their bowling while I was around,” Akhtar said. Taking a direct dig at Hafeez, Akhtar continued, “He’s saying to Wasim and Waqar, ‘Sir, you left no legacy.’ Then who did? You?” 

Akhtar was quick to point out that Wasim Akram was part of the legendary Pakistan squad that won the 1992 World Cup under Imran Khan — something Hafeez’s statement seemed to overlook. While Hafeez himself had notable moments in a Pakistan jersey — including being part of the squad that won the 2017 Champions Trophy and finished runners-up in the 2007 T20 World Cup — his remarks about the ’90s era have not gone down well with many, especially those who grew up idolizing that golden generation of pace bowling.