Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar (Source: Twitter)

Former Pakistani fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar is not one to mince his words, and he did the same while reviewing Pakistan’s loss to New Zealand in the second T20I on Sunday on his YouTube channel. Kane Willamson’s side won the encounter by 9 wickets and therefore grabbed the 3-match T20I series having emerged victorious in the opening game as well.

Shadab Khan, who is leading Pakistan in place of injured Babar Azam, won the toss and elected to bat first. The move backfired soon with Pakistan losing three wickets in the powerplay at the score of 33 to the swing and seam movement of Tim Southee. Veteran batsman, Mohammad Hafeez anchored the innings with his highest T20I score of 99, however, with a lack of support from the other end, the visitors could manage a mediocre total of 163 in 20 overs.

Shoaib Akhtar Lashes Out At Pakistan Cricket Team After Their Loss To New Zealand
Image Credit: Twitter

Chasing the target, New Zealand got off to a flyer from Martin Guptill. The opener smashed a quick 11-ball 21 before departing to medium-pacer, Faheem Ashraf. Kane Williamson, who is returning to the side after missing the second Test against West Indies and the first T20I versus Pakistan due to the birth of his child, conjured a match-winning partnership with opener, Tim Seifert.

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While the Kiwi skipper rotated strike from one end, Seifert played freely and attacked the Pakistani bowlers for his 63-ball 84. Willaimson also raised his fifty and hit the winning runs in the last over the game- though New Zealand was always ahead in the chase.

Shoaib Akhtar Lashes Out At Pakistan Cricket Team After Their Loss To New Zealand
Pakistan lost to New Zealand by 9 wickets. Image-Twitter.

Batsman showed immaturity which is not shown by even club-level kids: Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar is perplexed by the Pakistan team as the top order succumbed to the exquisite bowling of New Zealand’s new-ball pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Akhtar says he was in disbelief looking at the way the batsmen of Pakistan as well as India – who were bowled out for 36 runs in Adelaide Test against Australia – have batted versus the overseas pacers.

In his YouTube video, Shoaib Akhtar said, “I had slept after seeing the toss. And when I woke up Pakistan had scored 333 runs. When I saw it again after rubbing my eyes, it was 33/3. What are the subcontinent teams doing? Why don’t they let me sleep at ease?”

Shoaib Akhtar Lashes Out At Pakistan Cricket Team After Their Loss To New Zealand
Image Credit: Twitter

The 45-year-old opines that the men in green lacked maturity, which even club level cricketers would show. The former speedster is concerned about the direction in which Pakistan cricket is headed with immature batters, and poor management- he also took a swipe at the board.

“The immaturity Pakistan cricket team is showing is not shown by club-level kids also. Even those kids understand cricket better than them. I am not able to understand in which direction Pakistan is going. Immature batting, immature management, immature Pakistan Cricket Board, I am telling you in clear words,” Shoaib Akhtar added.

Both sides will meet for the dead rubber on Tuesday in Napier followed by a two-match Test series commencing with a Boxing Day Test in Mount Maunganui. Pakistan will be without star batsman and captain, Babar Azam who has been ruled out of the first Test. Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side.

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