Wasim Akram Slams Razaullah Over England Whitewash: ‘Zara Muh Chhupake Jao’

Wasim Akram has criticised the hero’s welcome given to Razaullah after Pakistan’s series defeat in England, saying players should not be celebrated for individual performances when the team has just been whitewashed. His comments, from a viral clip, have reopened a familiar debate about mindset in Pakistan cricket, and they come even though Razaullah had an outstanding personal debut at Edgbaston.

• What happened: Wasim Akram criticised the public celebration of Razaullah after Pakistan lost the series to England.
• His point: the reception reflects a mindset that celebrates individuals after a team defeat.
• The context: Razaullah made 81 with nine sixes and took four wickets on his Test debut, but Pakistan still lost.

What did Wasim Akram say about Razaullah?

Wasim Akram said the celebration was misplaced given the scale of Pakistan’s defeat, telling the player in the clip to “zara muh chhupake jao”, meaning to hide his face rather than celebrate in public after a whitewash. He added that the team had been “hammered, not lost” by England, and that celebrating in that situation shows “we have accepted mediocrity.”

Importantly, Akram did not question Razaullah’s talent. His criticism was aimed at the culture around the celebration, describing a mindset where individual moments are cheered even when the team has failed. He also made the point that a strong support structure, including coaches and administrators, cannot fix results on its own if the players’ mindset does not change.

Who is Razaullah and what did he do on debut?

Razaullah is a Pakistan all-rounder who made a striking Test debut against England at Edgbaston. Batting in the first innings he scored 81 off 63 balls with four fours and nine sixes, a rare display of power hitting for a debutant, before being stumped off the bowling of Lawrence.

With the ball he was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in England’s first innings, returning figures of four wickets for 148 from 23 overs. In the second innings he added 11 with the bat and bowled five wicketless overs. On personal numbers alone it was one of the more eye-catching Pakistan debuts of recent years. You can read our full report on Razaullah’s record 81 at Edgbaston and the fuller Razaullah profile.

Why did Wasim Akram criticise the celebration?

Akram’s argument is that celebrating an individual after a heavy team defeat normalises losing. Pakistan lost the third Test at Edgbaston by eight wickets and, by his account, were comprehensively beaten across the series. In that light, he sees a large public reception for one player as a sign that the group has lost sight of the team result.

The wider point he raised is about accountability. Bringing in the best coaches and administrators, in his view, changes little if the players and the culture around them treat personal milestones as the main measure of success. Whether readers agree or not, it is a familiar theme from one of Pakistan’s most respected cricketing voices, which is why the clip spread quickly.

What was the match and series result?

Pakistan lost the third Test against England at Edgbaston by eight wickets, played from 9 to 12 September 2026 on the Pakistan tour of England. Pakistan were bowled out for 133 and 449, while England replied with 453 and chased 130 for the loss of two wickets. England completed a series sweep, and Ollie Robinson was named Player of the Series with 58 runs and 21 wickets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Wasim Akram say about Razaullah?

Wasim Akram criticised the public celebration of Razaullah after Pakistan’s series defeat to England, saying individual performances should not be celebrated so openly after a team whitewash. He did not question Razaullah’s talent.

How did Razaullah perform on his Test debut?

Razaullah scored 81 off 63 balls with nine sixes and took four wickets for 148 in England’s first innings on his Test debut at Edgbaston, though Pakistan lost the match by eight wickets.

What was the result of the Edgbaston Test?

England beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston from 9 to 12 September 2026, with Ollie Robinson named Player of the Series.

Bottom Line

• The criticism: Wasim Akram questioned the public celebration of Razaullah after Pakistan’s series loss.
• His angle: a mindset that celebrates individuals after a team defeat, not an attack on the player.
• The debut: Razaullah made 81 with nine sixes and took four wickets at Edgbaston.
• The result: England won the third Test by eight wickets and swept the series.

Source

Comments from a viral clip of Wasim Akram, shared on X. See the original clip. Match data from the ESPNcricinfo scorecard.