Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has shared crucial advice to the inconsistent Pakistan side ahead of their important game against New Zealand on Saturday. The Men In Green must win the clash against the Black Caps to stand a chance of qualifying for the semifinals of the ongoing ODI World Cup.
Pakistan and New Zealand will play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the crucial game of the mega event and as things stand in the points table the clash is considered as a virtual quarterfinal at the moment. Babar Azam-led side will pass the Kiwis in the standings if they defeat New Zealand by 85 runs or if they reach the target in 35 overs.
Speaking on A Sports, Wasim Akram urged the Pakistan team to concentrate on winning their World Cup matches rather than examining the outcomes of their rivals. He believes that the Men in Green will have a tremendous task in their next two matches against high-quality opponents.
“They (Pakistan) can only do one thing. They just have to win their games and then hope and pray that other teams provide favourable results. Because those things aren’t in your control. If New Zealand loses by a big margin, again, that’s not in Pakistan’s control. They should focus on their cricket. The next two games are against big teams,” Wasim Akram said.
The World Cup 2023 semi-final race is very much alive as the Black Caps lost a crucial game against the formidable Proteas to open up a spot for other teams to get into the list of the final four. Pakistan fell short on net run rate to New Zealand in 2019 and they will look to continue their fine form against the depleted New Zealand side in Bangalore.
England Will Be Aggressive And Will Intend To Spoil Someone’s Party – Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram went on to say that the 1992 ODI World Cup winners should be highly cautious when playing England because they have little to lose and are out of the marquee event due to the poor campaign in India.
“I’m scared of England because they are out. They are going to play fearless cricket. They have nothing to lose. They will be aggressive and will intend to spoil someone’s party,” Wasim Akram added.
Pakistan team must win every one of their remaining games in addition to counting on the outcomes of other teams’ matches to go their way. Babar Azam-led side’s hopes of making it to the semifinals remain severely damaged by their four straight losses, casting a major shadow over their chances of making it to the final four of the mega event.
