PAK vs ENG: I Hope Pakistan Don't Crash Out In The First Round Of The T20 World Cup - Shoaib Akhtar

In preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, the Pakistan cricket team and the England cricket team played a 7-match T20I series. England won the series 4-3. England won the last and final match of the seven-match T20 series against Pakistan by 67 runs.

After being put to bat first, the visitors scored 209 runs for the loss of three wickets. The hosts’ batting order failed to chase the target after the wickets of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The middle order struggled, and Akhtar is worried about the team’s chances in the T20 World Cup.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, former pacer Shoaib Akhtar expressed his concern about the middle order’s woes and hoped the team would not exit the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in the first round. He stated that the middle order is not good when the openers fail to score.

Pakistan Middle Order Is Not Good – Shoaib Akhtar

“Pakistan middle order is not good. Plus Pakistan’s openers if they don’t perform, middle order gets into pressure. This is not the way to go into a world cup if you want to win the world cup. It is very sad,” Akthar said.

“Even in terms of the World Cup, I hope Pakistan don’t crash out in the first round. I’m scared with this team. That is why I criticized Saqlain and others to get your middle-order, batting order in order. Somehow they’re not listening.”

Babar Azam-led Pakistan will play a T20 tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh. The T20 tri-series will begin on October 7 in Christchurch and the final will be held on October 14 in Christchurch.

“But hopefully, Pakistan make a good comeback in the World Cup and in New Zealand tri-series. I like to see Pakistan doing well and it is disheartening to see them lose.

“But Pakistan is in a dire situation and from here things aren’t going to be easy for them. Hopefully, they will learn a thing or two from my videos and improve their middle order. Babar cannot perform in every game,” he added.

Also read: PAK vs ENG: We Need To Improve In Shortest Format – Babar Azam After Pakistan Lose T20I Series Against England