Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar feels disappointed on New Zealand cricketers’ approaches against England in the recent CWC match, which have forced Pakistan to almost finishing their final hope to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing CWC. However, he also added that only Pakistan national cricket team was responsible for their present condition.
The round-robin stage of the ongoing 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has moved to the last stage. The defending champions Australia, India and the host side England have already booked their semi-final spots of this tournament.
Though New Zealand suffered a big-margin defeat (119 runs) against England in their last round-robin stage game of this tournament, they still have a far better net run-rate than Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan will play their last round-robin stage match of this tournament against Bangladesh on Friday (5th July) at Lord’s. To qualify for the semi-final of this tournament, Pakistan will not only have to win this match, but they also need to beat Bangladesh by more than 300 runs.
In ODI history, the largest victory margin till the date is 290 runs (by New Zealand against Ireland at Aberdeen on 1st July 2008). So, Pakistan will need to manage an extraordinary result against Bangladesh that no other teams have ever done in ODI cricket.
New Zealand played like amateurs, They didn’t play quality cricket – Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar has recently expressed his disappointment on the New Zealand players as the former Pakistan pacer believes that the Kiwi players didn’t give any fight against the home team England.
In his YouTube channel, Akhtar said, “I was disappointed with the way New Zealand played against England. They didn’t give any fight and meekly surrendered before England. They played like amateurs, They didn’t play quality cricket.”
After winning the toss, England managed to score 305/8 (50 overs) in the first innings. In reply, New Zealand batsmen hugely struggled from the beginning, and they were finally all out on just 186 runs (45 overs).
The match against West Indies cost us badly – Rawalpindi Express
However, Akhtar has also pointed out that Pakistan’s disappointing performances are the only reason for their present fate.
Akhtar added, “The match against West Indies cost us badly. Then their match against Sri Lanka got abandoned. After that, they lost the game to Australia which they should have won. These three matches made it very difficult for Pakistan. They themselves have got out of the tournament. Nobody else is responsible for their loss.”
After playing eight matches in this tournament, Pakistan have earned nine points as they have won four games. In their opening game of this tournament, Pakistan suffered a seven-wicket defeat after getting all out on just 105 runs.
However, Pakistan made a brilliant comeback in their next match by beating the host side England by 14 runs. Their next match against Sri Lanka had no result due to the rain washout. After that, Pakistan suffered two consecutive defeats against Australia (by 41 runs) and India (by 89 runs in DLS method).
Later, Pakistan have won their three consecutive matches, but they are still far away from the semi-finals. In their last three matches, Pakistan beat South Africa (by 49 runs), New Zealand (by six wickets) and Afghanistan (by three wickets).
We have to play for our pride against Bangladesh – Shoaib Akhtar
However, Akhtar is hoping for a good performance from the Pakistan players against Bangladesh.
He said, “All is not lost still. We have to play for our pride against Bangladesh. Pakistan has to make sure they don’t get humiliated and therefore they should play good cricket against Bangladesh.”
In recent times, Pakistan haven’t a good record against Bangladesh. Since March 2014, Pakistan have suffered four successive ODI defeats against Bangladesh. Last time, they beat Bangladesh in ODI format was on 4th March 2014.
So, the Pakistan fans are wishing to finish this tournament at least this poor run against Bangladesh on Friday.