Shoaib Akhtar Hails India And Pakistan After Their T20I Triumphs

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar hailed India and Pakistan after the subcontinental teams got the better of two traditional powerhouses  – England and Australian respectively in T20Is.

In Zimbabwe, Pakistan beat Australia in a high-scoring thriller to win the triangular series.  Batting first, Australia posted a challenging 183 for 8. D’Arcy Short (76) and captain Aaron Finch shared a 95-run opening stand in just 9.5 overs. However, a middle-order saw Australia set Sarfraz Ahmed’s side 184 to win.

In reply, Pakistan were off to a disastrous start.  They lost debutant Sahibzada Farhan and Hussain Talat for ducks in the first over of their innings. However, a career-best 91 from Fakhar Zaman helped them recover and chase down the total with 4 balls remaining. This was also Pakistan’s highest successful run-chase in the shortest format of the game.

Far away from Africa, India thrashed England by 7 wickets in the third T20I to win the series 2-1. Put in to bat first England posted a daunting 198 for 8. Jason Roy and Jos Buttler set the tone by adding 94 runs in just 7.5 overs before both departed in quick succession.

The loss of both openers in the space of 10 balls did little to slow England as they raced away to 118 after 11 overs. The hosts were looking set to post well in excess of 200. However, Hardik Pandya brought India in the game by dismissing  Eoin Morgan (6) and Alex Hales (30) in quick succession. England kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually restricted to just under 200.

In reply, India, led by Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten ton, chased down the total in the penultimate over. The visitors lost Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul cheaply. But Rohit Sharma’s sublime form took them home with ease. Virat Kohli (43) and Hardik Pandya (33 off just 14) also made useful contributions.

With the subcontinental teams enjoying remarkable wins, Akhtar took to Twitter to hail them. He also lavished praise on Rohit who hit his third T20I hundred.

“Pakistan beats Australia in a thriller & now in decider Hindustan beats England ??????? comprehensively that goes to shows that subcontinent teams are so well equipped in shorter format .. But outstanding innings by Rohit Sharma.. 3 hundred in T20 is something else..”

Pakistan beats Australia in a thriller & now in decider Hindustan beats England ??????? comprehensively that goes to shows that subcontinent teams are so well equipped in shorter format ..
But outstanding innings by Rohit Sharma..
3 hundred in T20 is something else .

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 8, 2018