ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan players are 'too soft', remarks Mohammad Kaif after debacle

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif tore into Pakistani cricket team following their ICC World Cup 2023 debacle, calling their pace attack "too soft" in comparison to their legendary bowlers from yesteryears.

Posting on the social media site 'X,' Kaif noted that the squad, which included important players Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf and was captained by Babar Azam, seemed to be lacking in aggression on the field, which could have contributed to their poor performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

"Somehow feel this Pakistan team was too soft, their pacers too nice. Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib were intimidating. They would stare at you, even sledge. Babar, Shaheen, Rauf - they lacked that aura, they looked too friendly," Kaif wrote.

Notably, the Men in Green held the sixth position in the ICC CWC 2023 points standings. They finished with four wins, five losses, and were knocked out of the competition on November 11 after losing their last game against England.

Haris Rauf had a dismal World Cup campaign and became the only bowler to ever give up the most runs in World Cup history during the mega-event of 2023. In nine matches, he managed to take 16 wickets but gave up 533 runs. However, Shaheen Afridi did a great job, taking 18 wickets in nine matches to tie for third place in the tournament's top wicket-taker rankings.

Babar Azam is reported to lose his white-ball captaincy as Pakistan Cricket Board is looking to shake up things at the team management level. Bowling coach Morne Morkel has already resigned while coach Grant Bradburn and team director Mickey Arthur are also reported to be in the firing line.

Meanwhile, India will face New Zealand in the first semifinal of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 15 (Wednesday). New Zealand fought off late battle from Pakistan to reach the semis.