Several former Pakistani cricketers have criticised the “average mindset” and selection of the team for the World Cup in Australia with Babar Azam’s side staring at a group stage exit after their shock defeat to Zimbabwe in Perth.

Pakistan failed to chase down 130 against low-ranked Zimbabwe on Thursday with their batting failing yet again. It was the team’s second defeat in as many matches after the four-wicket loss to India on Sunday.

Fans and former players have singled out for criticism Babar, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja, chief selector Muhammad Wasim and head coach Saqlain Mushtaq.

“Very very embarrassing and disappointing,” former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said. “The fact is you have to play hard to even beat a team like Zimbabwe they wouldn’t be defeated by themselves. Our selections have been average and our mindset has been average and it has landed Pakistan cricket in this mess today,” he added.

Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi’s lack of form has affected the team. File picture

Mohsin Khan, a former Test opener who also served as head coach and chief selector, said Pakistan didn’t show any intent.

“Zimbabwe bowlers were disciplined and persistent and it was clear they wanted to win this match more than us,” he said.

“If this is our batting quality then God help our cricket,” he added.

Test great Javed Miandad also questioned the player selection.

“This is what happens when you allow non-performing batters to remain in the team and keep deserving players out.

“The way some of our batters threw their wickets away was shameful because they are professional cricketers.

“I have said it before, international cricket is not a place for learning, and unfortunately, every time the team has done badly we have tried to sweep it under the carpet by saying they are learning,” Miandad, the owner of 8832 Test runs, said.

Former captain Salman Butt echoed Miandad.

“I have been saying all along you don’t make someone a captain so that he can learn while playing and leading the national team. You only appoint someone as captain when you know he has the required leadership qualities to lead the other players well.”