Wasim Akram says, England are lions only at home

In purist of 145-run victory target in the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, England slumped to the one of their horrible collapse and capitulated for just 72 runs to concede the spinners-inspired Pakistan an assailable 2-0 lead in three-match series.

England, who had whitewashed India 4-0 at home last summer to clinch the top-Test rank, had lost the first Test by ten wickets in Dubai inside three-days.

“It’s (World No. 1) a very misleading number,” Akram said on Monday.

“England are lions only at home. Their weaknesses are always exposed on foreign tours. A top side is one that can handle every condition. West Indies did it in the 1970s and 80s. Pakistan did it for while under Imran Khan, when we were playing. Australia have done that in the 1990s,” added the 45-year-old.

I am proud of Pakistan: Wasim

The greatest fast bowler of all time was jubilant over the performance of Pakistan, who have not lost a Test series since spot-fixing scandal during England tour late in 2010.

“I am proud of Pakistan. After going through a lot of trouble and being slammed by the media, they are back to their winning ways. I always believed that Pakistan have the talent and the ability and now they have answered the British media, who were overtly critical of them.”

Consistency in performance is criteria of goodness: Wasim

The back-to-back defeats have jeopardized the World Number 1 Test statues of England. If they suffer the humiliation of whitewash losing the third and final Test, and their nearest pursuers South Africa chalk up the same scoreline in reverse against New Zealand in their upcoming series, their positions will be interchanged but Wasim believes that consistency in performance both at home and abroad is the criteria of goodness of a team, not numbers.

“The rankings may be of interest to the ICC or to the fans but I don’t read much into them. For the players and for people who understand the game, it’s about performance. If you consistently perform well at home and abroad, then you are good. If not, then there is no use of being No.1 or 2,” said Wasim.