Cricketer-turned-YouTuber Shoaib Akhtar has said that Pakistan’s victory in the final T20I match against England will teach the Green Army about team selection. Earlier, the former Pakistan speedster had critics his countrymen performances after they had lost the Test series and second T20I against England.
Shoaib Akhtar heaped praise on the youngster Haider Ali’s blistering half-century which guided Pakistan to set up 190 runs target against England. He amassed 54 runs off 33 balls, including two sixes and four boundaries. Akhtar said that he was repeatedly vouching for Ali and finally, he got the opportunity to showcase his talent. He opined that Pakistan won the final match because of the right selection.
“I have been repeatedly vouching for youngsters, Haider Ali was finally given a chance and see how he capitalised on the opportunity. I hope finally Pakistan has learned a lesson,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
“The youngster scored a half-century on his debut T20I and it was fantastic to see, the selection calls won us the final T20I against England,” he added.
Shoaib Malik should also be bowling: Shoaib Akhtar
Along with Ali, the veteran Mohammad Hafeez played a match-winning knock, scoring an unbeaten 86 off 52 balls. He had struck six maximums and four boundaries in his innings. Akhtar is satisfied with Hafeez’s knock but is worried over Shoaib Malik’s position in the team.
“Hafeez has been performing well, but there are questions over the selection of Shoaib Malik. The team should look to play him higher in the batting order and he should be bowling some overs as well,” Akhtar said.
Shoaib Malik didn’t get the batting opportunity in the opener and the last T20I match while in the second T20I, he was out after scoring 14 runs.
After winning the third T20I match, Pakistan levelled the series as England had won the second T20I and the first match washed out because of rain. Now, England’s next assignment is against Australia. The two teams will play three-match T20I series followed with the ODI.