Team India suffered their first loss in the ongoing T20 World Cup as South Africa defeated them by five wickets at Perth on Sunday (October 30).
After the match, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar had no remorse in saying that India’s performance left him disappointed.
Notably, India’s victory against South Africa would have improved Pakistan’s chances of making the semifinals but owing to the defeat, the Men in Green’s chances became very slim.
“India ne marwa diya humein (India have nearly killed our chances) by losing to South Africa. Not India’s fault though, Pakistan played so badly. We left this thing on others. I was wishing and hoping, India would come strong and hard. This shows that when you are against a quality bowling attack, the condition of the subcontinent teams come out in the open,” Akhtar said on his Youtube channel.
Indian batters found it tough to cope with extra pace, bounce and movement as the team posted 133/9 in 20 overs. Suryakumar Yadav was the lone fighter with the willow, scoring 68 off 40 balls.
“India have been exposed in front of South Africa fast bowling but they were not out and about because they’ll have easier matches now. Pakistan have to face a difficult opponent in South Africa. It still looks difficult and impossible but I am still backing my team. Let’s see what happens,” Shoaib stated.
“It’s not easy playing in these pitches. India left us very disappointed. If Indian batters played with a bit of restraint, 150 would have been a winning total here but India left us very disappointed,” he added.
Defending the modest total of 133, Indian bowlers had reduced the Proteas to 24/3 but the duo of Aiden Markram (52 off 41 balls) and David Miller (59* off 46 balls) added 76 runs for the fourth wicket to script South Africa’s victory with two deliveries to spare.
Earlier, all the South African pacers bowled incredibly well. While Lungi Ngidi (4-29) picked four wickets, Wayne Parnell (3-15) and Anrich Nortje (1-23) shared four scalps between them. Kagiso Rabada (0-26) might have been wicketless but he also returned with an economical spell.
“Miller the killer brought every experience he had. Along with Markram, they both were fabulous and fantastic. Ngidi, obviously, has done wonders. Not much of pace but he even got a wicket with the short ball. I said earlier that South Africa were out there to beat India and Pakistan,” the former speedster said.
While Shoaib Akhtar is not very optimistic about Pakistan’s chances, he’ll still support his team.
“Now onwards, Pakistan’s chances are very limited. I was wishing India would defeat South Africa and then if Pakistan could also defeat South Africa, we would have had a chance. But now it seems like, South Africa will be ready to inflict some damage on us. They have become contenders to win the World Cup. I had apprehensions with the Pakistan team selection. Now result is in front of you.”
