PAK vs ENG: England Know Pakistan Bowlers Are Not like India, They Won't Get A Walkover: Shoaib Akhtar

On Sunday at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the men’s T20 World Cup final will feature Pakistan vs. England. Both sides will be vying for their second championship at the international competition; England won it in 2010, while Pakistan won it in 2009.

Although the Babar Azam-led team had a very eventful campaign that nearly saw them eliminated during the Super 12 stage itself, the other outcomes in their group helped Pakistan advance to the semifinals before the team’s decisive victory against New Zealand in the knockout match. 

In Adelaide, England defeated India by 10 wickets in a stunning all-around performance. Jos Buttler and Alex Hales, the opening pair, put up a 170-run stand to guarantee a final matchup with Pakistan.

England Are In A Comprehensive Position: Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar, a former speedster for Pakistan, thinks that when England faces Babar Azam’s team on Sunday, things won’t be as simple for them. 

“Farak ye padega ki England ek comprehensive position me hai. England ka confidence sky-rocketing hoga. England ko pata hai ki yahan par Pakistan bowlers India bowling ki tarah nahi hai. Yahan kuch na kuch karke jeetna apdega. Itni aasani se walkover nahi milega.

(The difference is that England are in a comprehensive position, their confidence will be sky-rocketing. England know Pakistan bowlers are not like India. They will have to work hard to win, they won’t get a walkover),” Shoaib Akhtar said on his official YouTube channel. 

Pakistani Openers Should Maintain High Strike-Rate During Powerplay: Shoaib Akhtar

The former Pakistani speedster also discussed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s comeback to run-scoring, stating that their higher strike rate in the semifinal match against New Zealand was a significant help for the team. 

“Babar aur Rizwan pe bohot depend karta hai. Jis strike rate se khele hain, vo important hain. Jin 6 overs me hamaara strike rate missing tha, vo vaapis aa gaya hai. Melbourne wicket allow karegi aapko ki aap ussi strike rate ko maintain karke khelein.

(A lot depends on Babar and Rizwan. Their strike rate against New Zealand was very important. The wicket in Melbourne would allow them to maintain a similar strike rate),” Shoaib Akhtar said. 

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