'Are They New Chokers Of The World?': Shoaib Akhtar After New Zealand's Super Over Loss
Updated - 01 Feb 2020, 02:27 PM
Pakistan’s former pace bowling spearhead Shoaib Akhtar seems dejected by the New Zealand’s performance in the ongoing five-match T20I series with India. The former speedster Akhtar has raised questions over the Kiwis’ performance and has questioned whether they’re the ‘new chokers of world cricket’.
The Kiwis recently lost two consecutive super over games against India in the ongoing series. Fans and experts have started raising questions over New Zealand choking in the final moments of the game.
South Africa have always been coined as perennial chokers of world cricket as they fail to deliver in crucial junctures of the game.
The Proteas have choked in all the major ICC tournaments since a relatively long time now. They have not won a single edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World T20 till date even after performing so well in the group stage of the tournament.
Likewise, New Zealand too, are failing to grab the opportunities and have lost a fourth super over in under one year that includes an ICC Cricket World Cup final loss in 2019.
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Shoaib Akhtar Criticizes New Zealand:
Speaking on his Youtube channel, Akhtar expressed his disappointment with the BlackCaps.
The former fast bowler said, “I don’t understand what New Zealand. They have tied 6 matches and have managed to win only 1 Super Over. Looks like they have done specialization in losing. Despite being a good team they could not achieve an easy target like 166.”
The Rawalpindi Express added, “166 should have been an easy chase but the Kiwis made life difficult for themselves. This goes to show they don’t have the nerves to handle pressure scenarios. Are they new chockers of the world? Are they the new South Africa who could never win in a tough situation?”
New Zealand lost control in the final moments of the game in the last two T20Is against India.
The Kiwis were cruising to victory in both the games but lost control in the final overs of both the matches. They had to score nine runs in the final over of the third T20I to comeback in the series, but the Kiwis lost a couple of wickets and could manage only eight off the final over that led to a super over.
In the fourth game, things got worse as the Kiwis couldn’t score seven runs in the final over and lost three wickets in it that also led to a super over victory to India in two consecutive games.
Akhtar took to his YouTube channel to express his dissent over the Kiwis’ style of choking in the final overs.
“It’s very sad to see New Zealand struggling like this. I think New Zealand choke under pressure,” Akhtar said. He added, “They somehow don’t know how to cross the line.”
Akhtar praised the Indian team for holding its nerves brilliantly in the death which helped them win the last two T20Is.
“India have better nerves, they know how to control such pressure situations so once the match went into the Super Over, they had no chance,” said Akhtar.
Tagged:
Indian National Cricket Team Kane Williamson New Zealand Cricket Team Pakistan national cricket team Shoaib Akhtar South Africa Cricket Team Virat Kohli
