Pak team lack skill, passion, mental fitness: Akram

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram came down heavily on the national cricket team, saying Mohammad Yousuf's men lack skill, passion and mental fitness.

"In order to win Test matches against powerful teams one needed special talent, skill, passion and mental fitness. The present Pakistan side lacks these traits. Unlike Twenty20 and one-dayers, Test cricket is like a long race," Akram said.

Akram suggested that cricket authorities of the country should give chance to new players after consistent failure of the senior players.

"When the seniors are creating problems for the team and getting out after making only few runs then why not include younger players as they will learn in a year and serve the country for at least two decades. And for this, captain, board and selectors must sit together, communicate and plan," he said.

"But, unfortunately, I can't see that happening. Yousuf is an inexperienced captain and made few mistakes. But he will learn art of captaincy in the long run," he said.

The pace legend also added that Pakistan lost the second Test in Sydney because of they were scared of defeat.

Meanwhile, former skipper and senior player Inzamam-ul Haq, defending his old friend and ex-teammate Yousuf, has said that he must not be alone blamed for the defeats in New Zealand and Australia.

"Look at the circumstances he accepted the captaincy in. And in Australia specially in Sydney, Pakistan held the advantage on first three days but lost the match on the fourth day due to inapt performances from all sides.

"It is very sad that we lost the match at a time when we were very much close to victory but lost due to players bad show on last so they are responsible for team's defeat," Inzamam said.