'The mistakes committed by the Indian team during the Champions Trophy 2017 final were repeated by Pakistan yesterday (at ICC World Cup 2019),' said Shoaib Akhtar
Manchester: Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has lashed out at Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed for his “brainless captaincy” against India at the ICC World Cup 2019 on Sunday (June 16).
India thrashed Pakistan by 89 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the rain-hit match at Old Trafford in Manchester. Rohit Sharma was the batting star for India as he smashed 140.
Watch: Sarfaraz Ahmed speaks after loss to India
Thanks to Rohit’s knock, India posted 336/5 in 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan batting flopped as they ended up with 212/6 in 40 overs.
In overcast conditions, Sarfaraz had won the toss and opted to field first. This move backfired as his bowlers failed to take a wicket early on. Rohit and KL Rahul had a century partnership for the first wicket. Even India captain Virat Kohli had said he would have bowled first.
Also read: Full text of Rohit Sharma's press conference
Akhtar has slammed Sarfaraz for sending India to bat first. “The mistakes committed by the Indian team during the Champions Trophy 2017 final were repeated by Pakistan yesterday,” the former fast bowler said on his YouTube channel.
Also read: Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar's record
“I can't understand how Sarfaraz 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. Toss was very crucial and even if Pakistan had made 260, with their bowling, they could have defended it. So I think it was just brainless captaincy. It's a very saddening and disheartening performance from the Pakistan team captain. I wanted to see shades of Imran Khan in him but it's too late for him now," he added.
After the match, Sarfaraz defended his decision and said his bowlers did not bowl well. He also said India were a better side.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.