XtraTime Web Desk: One of the fastest bowlers in the history of world cricket, Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar blamed Sarfaraz Ahmed’s ‘brainless captaincy’ and the ‘clueless management’ of the Pakistan team for their heavy loss to India in Manchester on Sunday.
Despite winning the toss, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed put India into bat first and Rohit Sharma’s 140 helped them set a target of 337. Pakistan, in reply, reached 166/6 in 35 overs before rain caused a temporary halt to the proceedings. On resumption, their revised target was 302 and they had to chase it down in 40 overs. Only managing to reach 212/6, they fell to their third defeat of the tournament.
Akhtar blamed Sarfaraz for his decision to bowl first after winning the toss. He further said that he committed the same mistake that Virat Kohli committed after winning the toss in the Champions Trophy Final two years back.
Akhtar also blamed the Pakistan bowlers for not bowling with a plan and being indisciplined in their line and length as well. Speaking of Hasan Ali, Akhtar blamed him for not bowling with enough pace and on the good length spot. He also said that he was excessively short which hampered his line and length.
About Mohammad Amir, Akhtar said that despite taking three wickets in the game, the fast bowler could not be a threat to the Indian batsmen who played him with ease.
With four more games to go, Pakistan find themselves on the cusp of being knocked out from the tournament if they lose any more games from here on.
They face South Africa in their next game on 23 June at Lord’s.