The Babar Azam-led Pakistan team has come under the scanner after their seven-match T20I series loss to England at home.
The Men in Green lost the series 4-3 as they were outclassed by England in the seventh and final T20I in Lahore on Sunday (October 2).
Pakistan suffered a 67-run thrashing at the hands of the tourists in the series-decider and garnered criticism for their batting approach.
In fact, questions have been raised over Pakistan batters’ ability to tackle short deliveries. Former speedster Shoaib Akthar believes that the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed and other Pakistan batters will be targeted with short balls during the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.
“As I have said before, I fear that this Pakistan team can go out of the world cup in the first round itself,” Akhtar said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
“Everyone knows when Pakistan land for world cup what other teams are going to do. Babar Azam: Idhar (here)” gesturing a bouncer and mimicking that Babar fending it off.
He expects the same fate for Rizwan and Iftikhar while also terming the latter as “Misbah- part 2!”
“Don’t think in Australia they won’t be hurling bouncers at you. They will only do that. What can you do?” Akhtar added.
The Rawalpindi Express reiterated his concern over the middle-order heading into the T20 World Cup.
“Shaan Masood is a great player but not an impact player na? His fifties are of no use. I am not saying the boys aren’t good but there are some capacities inside a player which comes out on field.
“Pakistan middle order is not good. Plus Pakistan’s openers if they don’t perform, middle order gets into pressure. This is not the way to go into a world cup if you want to win the world cup. It is very sad,” Akthar stated.
“That’s why I had criticised Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan’s coach) and others to get your middle order and batting order in order. Somehow, they are not listening. It’s very sad to see that Pakistan is not doing well. It’s disheartening.
“It’s looking dire. It’s not going to be easy for the management from here. Hopefully they learn a thing or two, start watching my videos (smiles) and improve.
“Babar and Rizwan can’t do it every game. Haris Rauf, well done; I want other bowlers to step up.
Shoaib Akthar also doubted whether the batting coach Mohammad Yousuf had any say in the team.
“Meanwhile, Mohammad Yousuf is not even in the team. Had he been there, how could our batting not perform? Yousuf is an asset in the dressing room, but I don’t know how much say he has in this team. Iftikhar Ahmed is Misbah part two. Mashallah, we had Rizwan and now he has Iftikhar for company.”
“With this team, we might get knocked out in the first round itself. I am really scared as our batting has no depth. Our captain is also not cut out for this format as he always looks for classic cover drives. He wants to look classic.”
