T20 World Cup 2022: Shoaib Akhtar predicts India to return home after semi-finals
Shoaib Akhtar feels Team India are not equipped enough to make their way into the finals.
The ongoing T20 World Cup has seen a lot of drama already in the group stage. Although the rain has played spoilsport multiple times, the much-awaited match between India and Pakistan happened without any interruption. Team India sealed a memorable victory in the high intensity clash.
Batting first, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 159 in 20 overs. In reply, India had a rusty start to the innings as they lost wickets in quick sessions. However, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya showed resistance to take the game deep and provide themselves a chance to win the battle.
With 48 needed off the last three overs, Kohli changed his gears and started hitting Pakistani bowlers all-round the park. He smashed Shaheen Afridi before sending two deliveries into the stands off Haris Rauf, who looked invincible at the MCG. The Indian batter continued his exploits in the last over to take his team over the line that night.
While the Men in Blue continued their form against the Netherlands on Thursday, Babar Azam’s side lost by 1 run against Zimbabwe. With the latest defeat, Pakistan’s chances of heading into the next round are minimal. India, on the other hand, are very much into the schemes for the semi-finals.
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India are not ‘Tees Maar Khan’ – Shoaib Akhtar
Despite India leading the group, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar believes India will return home after the semi-finals. He said that Team India are not ‘Tees Maar Khan’, referring to the fact that they are not that good to play in the final of the showpiece event.
After Pakistan’s defeat against the associate team, Akhtar lashed out at captain Babar Azam by calling him a ‘poor captain’ on his YouTube Channel. The Men in Green will next lock horns with the Netherlands on Sunday before taking on the mighty South Africans next week.
