Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar (Image Credit: Twitter)

Shoaib Akhtar, a former fast bowler for Pakistan, has criticised Babar Azam and his team for their lack of effort in the just-completed ICC World Test Championship match against England. 

For Pakistan to go to the WTC Final, they needed to win the Rawalpindi Test. They failed to reach a 343-run goal on a surface that was favourable to batters, though. In the second innings, England cleaned them out for 268 runs to triumph famously at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

England National Cricket Team
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England Gave A Chance To Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar praised England’s strategy and criticised Pakistan’s intentions in a video posted to his YouTube channel. He stated: 

“England gave a chance to Pakistan. England told them, “You save your Test match. We will save Test cricket. You save your place in the team. We will break our bowlers for you.” However, Pakistan did not capitalize on it.” 

James Anderson
James Anderson (PC-Getty Images)

“There is a difference in the mindset. If Pakistan were in a similar situation as England, would they declare? They would never declare,” added Shoaib Akhtar.  

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Pakistan Never Showed Any Intent To Win: Shoaib Akhtar

The Rawalpindi Test match’s playing surface offered little to the bowlers. England amassed 657 runs in the opening frame. Throughout their record-setting effort, the visitors kept their run rate above six runs per over. Pakistan’s reaction was another massive batting display, as they scored 579. 

Shoaib Akhtar asserts that Pakistan did not go into the game with the intention of winning. In his opinion, Pakistan only came to the first Test to force a draw. 

Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Rizwan (PC-Getty Images)

“It was such a bad pitch. It was good for batting, but not one Pakistan batter took a chance. Pakistan never showed any intent to win. They even prepared this type of a pitch to play out a draw,” said Akhtar.  

In the three-game series, England is ahead 1-0. This Friday, the second Test will begin at the Multan Cricket Stadium. 

Also Read:Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table After Pakistan vs England 1st Test, WTC Table 2021-23