Shoaib Akhtar had slammed the team and especially Sarfaraz calling him ‘brainless’ after Pakistan's loss against India.
Sarfaraz Ahmed hit back at former player Shoaib Akhtar's criticism of him and the Pakiastan cricket team after their defeat against India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Pakistan men lost the game in Manchester by 89 runs (DLS Method).
After the defeat, Shoaib Akhtar had slammed the team and especially Sarfaraz calling him ‘brainless’. The retired speedster had hurled the criticism on his official YouTube channel.
Sarfaraz responded to Akhtar's comments before the match against South Africa saying "some people are sitting on the television, thinking they are God".
Pakistan secured a 49-run win at Lord's on Sunday that kept their chances of reaching the knockouts alive.
1. Sarfaraz Ahmed responds to Shoaib Akhtar
)
Shoaib Akhtar had posted a video on YouTube after the India vs Pakistan match. “I can’t understand how Sarfraz can be so brainless. How could he forget that we don’t chase very well. Knowing our strength, which is bowling, is important. The game was half-won by Pakistan when Sarfaraz won the toss, but he tried hard to lose the match,” he said.
When asked about Akhtar's commnets, Sarfaraz Ahmed said he didn't want to say anything to Akhtar as any statement against him will invite further criticism for him from the 43-year-old.
“If I say something to him, then he’ll start scolding us again. As per him, we aren’t players. I don’t want to tell what we are. If we speak out then we’ll be bashed for retaliating. Some people are sitting on the television, thinking they are God,” Sarfaraz said.
2. Sarfaraz Ahmed explains why he chose to bowl first vs India
)
Sarfaraz Ahmed also revealed why he had chosen to field first against India in Manchester match. The Pakistan captain had got a lot of flak for that call, specially as Imran Khan, Pakistan PM and the 1992 World Cup-winning captain had advised Pakistan to bat first if they win the toss in a tweet.
Sarfaraz made it clear that he did not have any regret over his decision to bowl first. He said that before the World Cup he had interacted with PM Imran Khan and the latter had asked him to take decisions as per the conditions. He also went on to say that the pitch and the outfield was wet which is why they decided to bowl with a hope to get some help with the new ball early on.
3. Sarfaraz appeals to fans
)
Sarfaraz Ahmed also talked about the criticism and abuse directed towards the players and their families after the defeat against India. He requested fans not to abuse the players and their families.
“Criticise us on our game, that’s not an issue, but don’t abuse us. Their families get affected. If someone is hitting, then pushing anyone that’s not good. Our fans are emotional and these same people lift us when we win. But if they feel sad on a defeat we also feel the same way. We feel it much more because we are playing for Pakistan,” said Sarfaraz.
