Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar challenged the Pakistan cricket team and demanded they win the ODI World Cup in India the following year. He asked the performers to pick themselves up after their loss to England in the T20 World Cup 2022 final on Sunday, November 13, and go all out to take the trophy in India in 2023.
Pakistan went down to England by 5 wickets in the summit clash of this year’s T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Australia. Sent in to bat following losing the toss, they only scored 137/8 on the board in their 20 overs. England chased down the complete in 19 overs.
Mirroring Pakistan’s defeat, the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ urged the performer to put behind the failure of the MCG loss and start preparing for the ODI World Cup in India right seriously.
Talking on his official YouTube channel, he gave a passionate message to the team and said:
“Next year, there is a World Cup in India. If you want to become heroes, lift the World Cup trophy at Wankhede Stadium. This is a challenge for you. Go and get fit. Pick yourself up and ensure that the next World Cup is ours.”
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The 2023 World Cup ODI will be the first example of India hosting the tournament entirely. They hosted the event in 1987, 1996, and 2011, but on each event, they had other nations as co-hosts.
“You were anywhere and ended up achieving the World Cup final” – Shoaib Akhtar hails Pakistan despite the loss
Sharing his idea on Pakistan’s defeat to England in the T20 World Cup final, Akhtar denied being critical of the team.
He glorified Babar Azam and Co. for beating a disastrous start and recovering to go all the way to the final. Akhtar commented:
“Well done Pakistan. You were nowhere and ended up reaching the World Cup final. You really played good cricket in the last leg. There is no need to criticize anyone. Playing the World Cup final is not a small achievement. And they haven’t got there due to luck. They have really worked hard and played well.”
The 47-year-old withdrew special glorify for Pakistan’s bowlers, asserting they played with a big heart. Akhtar concluded his thoughts by saying:
“Well done to Pakistan’s bowlers as well. You showed a big heart. Without you, Pakistan would not have reached the final. Shadab (Khan) was excellent; Shaheen (Afridi) was excellent. Well done to Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah as well.”
We greatly appreciate the support of fans throughout our #T20WorldCup campaign. pic.twitter.com/hEPMTdesUP
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 13, 2022
Both Afridi and Shadab maintained 11 wickets each, performing a stellar role in Pakistan’s amazing turnaround in the T20 World Cup.
Also read:- T20 WC 2022: “He was unsuccessful as a performer and as a captain as well” – Danish Kaneria