Akhtar's brutal review.
Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar is known for his brutal appraisal of his team's performance. Similar to his playing days, he is not someone who holds back his emotions, rather carries them on his sleeves. Akhtar true to his form slammed the listless performance of Pakistani team post their loss to India in Old Trafford on Sunday by 89 runs (D/L method).
Pakistanis use self-deprecating tweets to make light of crushing defeat
Akhtar was particularly severe on captain Sarfaraz Ahmed who he dubbed as unfit and also questioned his decision-making process. There was hardly anyone who escaped the fiery pacer's ire. He repeatedly referred to Pakistan's match against India in 1999, which they lost. According to Akhtar, Pakistan at least managed to put up a modicum of fight that day, but here they looked completely out of sorts, easily stomped over by a far superior side.
Shoaib Akhtar Roast #INDvPAK
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) June 16, 2019
FULL video:- https://t.co/9ntJSS6DYC pic.twitter.com/P6kcDDfplU
Akhtar pointed out several critical lacunae in Pakistan's approach and overall he believed that Pakistan lost the game owing to poor decision making of the boys. While Akhtar wishes that the team will bounce back in the future matches, he is not exactly hopeful of that.
Akhtar who had earlier Sarfaraz for his weight slammed his lack of intent in the marquee encounter. He also questioned Mickey Arthur's role and said that the South African is not bringing anything substantial to the table.
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1. Why did Pakistan elect to field?
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According to Akhtar, Pakistan made a huge mistake by choosing to field first. He believes that even if Pakistan had scored 260-280, it would have been tough for India to chase it down owing to scoreboard pressure.
Akhtar believes this match was just the mirror image of 2017 Champions Trophy final and Pakistan did all the mistakes which India committed that day. Akhtar's follow-up question is that if Pakistan was so hell-bent on chasing, why didn't they play an extra batter. According to Rawalpindi Express, there was no point of playing with two spinners against the Indians who are quality players.
(Image- ANI)
2. Special scorn for Hasan Ali
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Akhtar questioned Hasan Ali's ability and intent and said that only making loud statements at Wagah border doesn't help, one needs to also deliver in field. Hasan Ali attracted controversy when he made angry gestures pointing towards India at Wagah border.
However, he looked completely off the boil during the India match and went for 84 runs getting only a chance wicket of Rohit Sharma. According to Akhtar, it is time for Hasan Ali to walk the talk in matches.
(Image- Reuters)
3. 'Amir not taking wickets in key moments'
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Although Amir was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, getting three wickets, Akhtar is not impressed. According to him, those wickets are coming in the back end of the innings when the batters are trying to up the ante. Had they come in the front half, it would significantly curtail the run flow of the opponent. In the context, Akhtar also gave example of his exploits in 1999 world cup, when his three wickets ensured they win against the Black Caps.
(Image- Reuters)
4. 'Imam Ul-Haq has no technique'
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Shoaib Akhtar was scathing in his review of Imam Ul-Haq who went out to non-front line bowler Vijay Shankar in the very first ball. According to Akhtar, Imam has no technique and can't play classical strokes like cover drive. Merely playing shots like glance would not help him, said the outspoken bowler.
(Image- Reuters)
5. 'Azam not following his idol Kohli'
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Shoaib Akhtar questioned Babar Azam's inability to rotate the strike and milk the bowling unlike Virat Kohli, who is a master in this form of batting. Akhtar rued the fact that Babar Azam got out after getting a start and said that none of the Pakistan batters could learn from their Indian counterpart about how to pace their innings to get a daddy hundred.
6. Akhtar slams seniors
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Shoaib Akhtar slammed seniors like Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik who were completely lacklustre in this match. Neither with the bat or bowl, could they make any impact. According to Shoaib, experience is overrated as when they reached final in 1999 in England, many of the top performers were playing in their first world cup.
Overall, Akhtar doffed his hat to Indians for being a much superior side which helped them to bully Pakistan comprehensively and win their seventh world cup match against Pakistan.
(Image- PTI)
