Shoaib Akhtar slammed Pakistan's performance ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Pakistan’s dismal batting display in the T20I series decider against England left many concerned over the Men in Green’s fate in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, which is set to kick off in Australia on October 16.
On Sunday, October 2, Pakistan batsmen brutally failed with the bat, as the hosts could manage only 142 runs while chasing a 201-run target to suffer a massive defeat of 67 runs against England in the seventh and final T20I in Lahore. With the defeat, England lost the T20I series to England by a 3-4 margin.
Shan Masood (56) and Khushdil Shah (27) were the highest run-scorers for Pakistan, while the rest of the batters, including captain Babar Azam, couldn’t face more than 10 balls against England, which wasn’t really a good sign for the Men in Green ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Following the defeat, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar said that he was scared of the Pakistan team's form and its middle-order woes. However, he hopes Pakistan does not crash out of the T20 World Cup 2022 after the first round in Australia.
Akhtar said on his YouTube channel, “Pakistan middle-order is not good. If the openers don't perform, the middle-order collapses. This is not the way you go into the World Cup and win the World Cup. It will not work this way. Even in terms of the World Cup, I hope Pakistan don't crash out in the first round. I'm scared with this team. That is why I criticized Saqlain and others to get your middle-order, and batting order in order. Somehow they're not listening.”
He added, “But hopefully, Pakistan make a good comeback in the World Cup and in the New Zealand tri-series. I like to see Pakistan doing well and it is disheartening to see them lose. But Pakistan is in a dire situation and from here things aren't going to be easy for them. Hopefully, they will learn a thing or two from my videos and improve their middle order. Babar cannot perform in every game.”