PAK vs AFG: Shoaib Akhtar Calls Afghanistan A "Formidable Side," Backs Them For The 2023 ODI World Cup
Published - 27 Mar 2023, 02:38 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Ex-Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar praised Afghanistan, calling them a formidable side following the Afghans’ first T20 series win over Pakistan.
In the 3-match T20 series between the two neighboring countries, Afghanistan has taken an unassailable lead of 2-0. After comfortably chasing down a target of 93 in the first match at Sharjah, the Rashid Khan led side chased down 131 in the 2nd match.
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This was Afghanistan’s first series win against the Men in Green. And with the ODI World Cup later this year, they will take all the momentum they can get.
Akhtar, who expressed his concern with the Pakistani squad for losing the series on his YouTube channel, called the winning team a “formidable side” and said that he expects big things from them in the tournament.
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“Afghanistan is a formidable side. Their spinners are great. Mohammad Nabi bowled well. All their spinners are mysteries. With these mystery spinners, Afghanistan is going to be one of the best teams in the world cup to be held in India.” he said.
The former ace-pacer also gave out a characteristically weird congratulation to Pathans and Begalis (major people groups in Afghanistan and Bangladesh respectively.
“I am very happy. If Pathans and Bengalis channelise their energy, they can become world’s leading communities. Because both have extremism in them. If extremism can be channelized positively, with maturity, they can become world’s best. I am very happy that our Pathan brothers have won,” said Shoaib.
Pakistan to take on Afghanistan in the 3rd t20 today
Pakistan will take on Afghanistan in the 3rd and final T20 of the ongoing series in UAE.
While Pak have already lost the series, they will be looking to avoid the whitewash from their rivals. The match will be played in the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on March 27.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and some other national team players will immediately head to India after the match, as they will are to represent their franchises in 2023. Khan is a key player for defending champions Gujarat Titans.
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