Wasim Akram critical of Azhar Ali's captaincy after Pakistan's defeat in Manchester Test

Pace bowling great says young quicks Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi were under utilised

England's Chris Woakes celebrates winning the first Test against Pakistan in Manchester on Saturday, August 8. Reuters

Chris Woakes celebrates after hitting the winning runs during play on the fourth day of the first Test match between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester. AFP

England's Jos Buttler plays a shot as Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan keeps wicket. AFP

Stuart Broad of England sweeps past Abid Ali of Pakistan. Getty

Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Ollie Pope in Manchester. Getty

Shadab Khan of Pakistan takes the catch of Ollie Pope. Getty

England's Chris Woakes plays a shot during play on the fourth day of the first Test. AFP

England's Stuart Broad, left, and Chris Woakes scores runs off Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi. PA

Yasir Shah of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Jos Buttler. Getty

Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq looks on during day four of the first Test in Manchester. Getty

A Pakistani fan plays saxophone next to the ground at Old Trafford. AP

Pakistan great Wasim Akram questioned Azhar Ali's captaincy as the men in green failed to capitalise on a winning position in the first Test in Manchester against England.

Pakistan had reduced the hosts to 117-5 chasing 277 before fighting fifties from Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes clinched a tense three-wicket win for Joe Root's team.

Akram said captain Ali "missed a trick" on several occasions during the chase on Saturday, especially while handling young quicks Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.

"It will hurt the Pakistan team and the cricket lovers in Pakistan," Akram told Sky Sports.

"Winning and losing is part of cricket, but I think our captain missed a trick quite a few times in this game, as far as his leadership is concerned."

Akram was surprised how Pakistan, who had bowled out England for 219 in the first innings, did not try to bounce out Woakes early.

"When Woakes came in, there were no bouncers, no short deliveries, they let him settle down and runs were coming easy," said Akram.

"Once the partnership got going, nothing happened – the turn didn't happen, swing didn't happen – and Buttler and Woakes just took the game away."

Akram also felt pacers Shah and Afridi, who collectively sent down 28.1 overs in the second innings, were under-bowled.

"Pakistan cricket is all about flair, unpredictability and attacking cricket. We're not county bowlers who are just going to come and bowl line and length all day long.

"We've got a 17-year-old [Naseem], who bowls 90mph, a 20-year-old [Afridi], who is around 88mph, and they should be bowling a lot more overs – 18-20 overs each innings, no matter the situation."