Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar said that by beating Team India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, the Babar Azam-led side sent out a message that they are one of the most formidable teams in the world right now.
Pakistan Team started their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign on a dominating note as they thrashed Team India by 10 wickets to register their first win over them in the history of the World Cups.
The Babar Azam-led side displayed a sensational all-around performance to hand the Virat Kohli-led side their first 10-wicket loss in T20Is. Batting first, Indian openers were clueless against Pakistan’s pacer Shaheen Afridi as the left-arm quick showed great skills with the new ball and left ‘Men in Blue’ tumbling at 6/2.
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Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were the main contributors for their team with scores of 57 and 39 respectively and helped their team post a total of 151 runs on the board after they were jolted with early wickets.
With 152 to defend, everyone expected Indian bowlers to prove their mettle and make things tough for Pakistan but it didn’t go that way as the opening duo of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan played ruthless cricket and smashed bowlers all around the park to take their team home.
Shoaib Akhtar was extremely delighted after Pakistan defeated Team India for the first time in World Cup history. He added that by beating the Virat Kohli-led side they have made a statement that they are one of the most formidable teams in the world right now.
“We have finally beaten India in a World Cup. We broke India's myth. We have beaten them comprehensively and told India that you are up against one of the most formidable nations on this planet, not just a cricket team,”
Akhtar while lauding Shaheen Afridi for his spell with the new ball called him ‘Cheetah’ and said that he made India look clueless.
“Well done Shaheen Shah Afridi. You did it brilliantly, Cheetah. Two deliveries from him and India looked clueless. It was an absolutely wonderful spell by him,” he said.
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Shoaib Akhtar pointed that Team India couldn’t even take a single Pakistani wicket which depicts why it’s not fair to challenge this side.
"You saw, you couldn't even take a single wicket. What should I say now (having a cheeky smile). Pakistan is the kind of team that can belt any team so it's not fair to challenge this side," Akhtar said.
Here’s the video:
