Shoaib Akhtar has said that he wishes to see India reach the T20 World Cup final and play Pakistan in the title clash. Speaking on his YouTube channel after India’s comprehensive eight-wicket win over Scotland in a Super 12 clash on Friday, Shoaib Akhtar said that India reaching the final would “make the World Cup bigger”.
While India’s chances of reaching the semifinals are dependent on Afghanistan beating New Zealand in their Super 12 clash on Sunday, Shoaib Akhtar said that his “heart’s wish” is for India to reach the final and for Pakistan to win it.
Shoaib Akhtar Only Hopes Pakistan Top The Group 2 Chart
Against Pakistan in the group stage, India captain Virat Kohli played a crucial knock of 57 runs after coming to bat at no. 3, as wickets continued to fall on the other end. Virat Kohli, though, helped his team to a total of 151/7 in 20 overs. But in the end, the target of 152 was not enough as Pakistan openers Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam scored 79*, and 68*, respectively, to win the match for their team by 10 wickets with 13 balls to spare.
“Many people are saying that New Zealand should (beat Afghanistan to) knock India out of the tournament. I cannot speak on behalf of New Zealand. I only hope that Pakistan top the (Group 2) chart. We shouldn’t worry about the rest of the outcomes,” Shoaib Akhtar said.
“If you beat Scotland, you top the group. You shouldn’t worry about which team you could play against. Yes, I do have a wish, as I had said earlier, that why play just one match against India? Why not play the final? And a final (between India and Pakistan) is possible,” Shoaib Akhtar added.
“In my opinion, India has a fair amount of chance. It now depends on whether Afghanistan can bring India back (in semifinal reckoning or not),” Shoaib Akhtar concluded.
The start of India’s opening T20 World Cup game against Pakistan was not the best one. After losing the toss, Virat Kohli-led India was asked to bat first on a tricky batting surface by Pakistan captain Babar Azam. To make matters worse, Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Rohit Sharma for a golden duck, and soon after, sent back in-form opener KL Rahul to the hut.
India lost both opening games against Pakistan and New Zealand by huge margins but came back to beat Afghanistan and Scotland comprehensively to improve their run rate. India outclassed Scotland by 8 wickets and with 81 balls to spare to move to +1.619, the best in their Group. But it will come into play only if Afghanistan beats New Zealand on Sunday. If the Kiwis win, India’s T20 World Cup is over.
Shoaib Akhtar Wishes That India Reach The Final And Play Against Pakistan Which Is Will Be Good For Cricket
The Pakistani bowling great said the two arch-rivals facing off in the final would make for good cricket.
“Entire India will be backing Afghanistan (on Sunday). We will back a good game of cricket. It’s an interesting situation. My heart’s wish is that India reach the final against us and that we beat them. It will be good for cricket if India play the final against Pakistan. This is going to make the World Cup bigger,” he remarked.
India and Pakistan have not played the Test series for more than 14 years. As far as bilateral series in ODIs and T20Is are concerned, it has been over eight years. India-Pakistan only faces off each other during ICC events and Asia Cup. Pakistan and India’s last bilateral ties at either of the two neighbouring countries were 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs in India way back in 2012.