Shoaib Akhtar: Both teams tried to lose the game, and India was almost successful in that

3 years AGO
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Virat Verma Cricket expert
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Shoaib Akhtar says both Captains Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma made bad selection calls

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, however, was not impressed by the cricket on display and he proceeded to say that the two sides attempted to lose the game and it was a “bad day of cricket”.

The most awaited match between Pakistan and India was played on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium, and it was Rohit Sharma and co that emerged on the right side of the outcome as they defeated their opponent by five wickets in the Asia Cup Group A clash. 

Hardik Pandya was the superstar as he showed an all-round performance to assist India in winning the contest. Hardik first took three wickets, and afterward, he played a game dominating knock of 33 runs of only 17 balls to help the team India to win this game. 

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, however, was not impressed by the cricket on display and he proceeded to say that the two sides attempted to lose the game and it was a “bad day of cricket”.

“I want to congratulate both India and Pakistan. Both teams tried to lose the game, and India was almost successful in that. India was trying their best to lose the game but Hardik Pandya took them over the line. You only tell me, if Rizwan will score 45 of 45 balls, what to say? There were 19 dot balls in the first six overs when Pakistan was batting. If you play so many dot balls, you will be in trouble,”

Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

“There was bad selection, both captains Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma made bad selection calls. India dropped Rishabh Pant and Pakistan played Iftikhar Ahmed at No.4. No disrespect to him. I have said so many times that Babar should not open, he should come one down and he anchors the innings. Fakhar and Rizwan should open,”

he stated further.

Further criticizing the selection calls made by both teams, Akhtar said:

“Both teams played bad cricket, Pakistan messed up their batting order. Even India sent Ravindra Jadeja at No.4, so you just think how bad the calls were from both sides.”

“Pakistan then sent Shadab Khan ahead of Asif Ali, so I was not able to understand the thinking of Babar Azam. It is bad cricket. Pakistan did not do the calculation for the last over. It was a bad day of cricket. Both teams played poorly. I did not like it one bit, I don’t care what others have to say,”

he added.