Shoaib Akhtar predicts it would not be easy for Babar Azam’s Pakistan to beat India in T20 World Cup
India Today
India were drubbed heavily by Pakistan, last time they met in the T20 World Cup in UAE. India were put under the pump by Shaheen Afridi straightaway in the first over.
Tearaway pacer Shoaib Akhtar is of the opinion that it would not be easy for Pakistan to beat India this time around in the T20 World Cup. Pakistan put up a dominating performance against India in the last edition of the tournament, thoroughly defeating their arch-rivals. The team put India under pressure straight away after a fiery spell from Shaheen Afridi, who set the stage on fire.
After restricting India to a modest total, Pakistan chased it down with the help of captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who took Pakistan home.
However, Shoaib Akhtar believes that India would be much more planned this time around in the T20 World Cup in Australia when the two teams meet on October 23.
“India will come up with proper planning this time around. It will not be easy for Pakistan to beat India in T20 WC this time,” Akhtar was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
“Predicting match results now is quite difficult but Pakistan should bowl second as [the] pitch in Melbourne offers bounce to fast bowlers,” he further added.
Rohit Sharma-led India will be squaring off against Pakistan on October 23 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. India generally enjoy a big support in the 100,000 strong ground. Shoaib commented on the same and said that he believes that the match will be attended by a record number of spectators.
“I believe the crowd will be bigger this time. Around 150,000 fans will watch the match line in Melbourne. Out of which, 70,000 will be Indian supporters,” he said.
