Former Pakistan gun fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul looked under pressure when they came out to bat to chase down 160 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 at the MCG on Sunday.
Both the openers didn’t play a single aggressive shot and took a defensive approach. KL Rahul, who has been in decent form in the recent past, played the ball back onto the stumps against Naseem Shah. Subsequently, Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Haris Rauf as Iftikhar Ahmed took a fine catch at the first slip.
In fact, India had recently adopted an aggressive approach but it was put on the back burner by Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.
“India openers looked under pressure. Rohit Sharma as a captain should calm himself down and KL Rahul is throwing his wicket by focusing too much on himself,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
Akhtar claimed it was one of the best matches in the history of the game. The former ace paceman feels Pakistan could have scored more than what they eventually managed.
“It was one of the best matches in the history of the game. The wicket was very bad, and it was difficult to understand the ball. But Pakistan achieved 160 on it. Pakistan could have achieved more but unfortunately, our lower middle order couldn’t play maturely.
Rawalpindi Express, as he was known during his heydays, added that Pakistan played well and they will keep getting better despite the loss.
“Pakistan accepts this defeat with grace and come back with a strategy and resources and a better game plan. You don’t have to fall from here, you have played wonderfully,” Akhtar said.
Pakistan will be disappointed as they had the match in their grasp but they could not close it out.
Pakistan will next face Zimbabwe on Thursday at the Perth Stadium, Perth.
India's emerging badminton stars Ayush Shetty and Unnati Hooda continued their impressive runs at the… Read More
The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is on the brink of suspension… Read More
Edmund Lalrindika has been called up to replace the medically sidelined Irfan Yadwad in India’s… Read More
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has lashed out at the club’s critics after they… Read More
Carlos Alcaraz has revealed that he is good to go at the Italian Open and… Read More
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland feels the lack of hunger led to their poor season.… Read More