Shoaib Akhtar Slams Pakistan Batsmen For Failing To Capitalise On A Big First-Innings Lead Against England

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has opened up on Pakistan’s loss to England in the first Test in Manchester. Pakistan had the match within their grasps for the most part, but could not capitalise on the advantage. Shoaib Akhtar has voiced his opinions against Pakistan’s batsmen, who could not build their side’s first-innings lead from 107 to something substantial.

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Pakistan secured an enormous lead of 107 in the first innings after bowling out England for 219. However, they went on to add only 169 runs more, leaving the hosts to chase 277 with more than one day to go. Even then Pakistan’s excellent bowling attack reduced the opposition to 117-5 at one stage until Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes batted the tourists out of the contest and took a series lead.

In a Youtube video, Shoaib Akhtar was unhappy with the batsmen and echoed Shoaib Malik’s words of Pakistan making the same mistake since partition. The Rawalpindi Express highlighted the need for partnerships that could have pushed the lead up to 350 or 400.

“Pakistan got an opportunity to put a big score but they made the same mistake that they have been doing since partition. That the batting lets us down. We needed partnerships, stroke-making only when you get loose balls. It was a great chance for Pakistan to put 350-400 runs on the board,” Shoaib Akhtar highlighted.

Akhtar stated that it is on situations like these that star batsmen have to step up and prove why they are labelled as one. He mentioned that if a team cannot capitalise on a 107-run lead, it is of no use.

“But again, none of Pakistan’s star batsmen could score runs. If you have to become a big player and earn a name, these are the situations. If you are not able to capitalize on a 107-run lead, however big a batsman you may be, you are of no use,” he added.

But Babar Azam has to come out with something good: Shoaib Akhtar

The 44-year-old was especially critical of Babar Azam, who scored only 5 in the second innings. Babar Azam landed in England on the backdrop of massive expectations and ranked number six, slammed a clinical half-century in the first innings. However, the right-handed batsman could not step up in the second.

Shoaib Akhtar praised Shan Masood for playing his part and slammed Asad Shafiq for involving himself in the run-out in second innings.

However, the retired speedster’s all fingers pointed towards the vice-captain, who needed to put his hands up. The second Test begins at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Thursday.

“Shan Masood was unlucky but he had already played his part. Asad Shafiq got run out, it is again his fault. But Babar Azam has to come out with something good, because you cannot create a name like this. You might be a good player, but you have to establish yourself as a match-winner,” he added.

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