Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar felt the Indian teamtried its best during their 31-run defeat to England in what was a must-wingame for the hosts in the ongoing World Cup.
On Sunday, India failed to chase down a mammoth 338-runtarget despite century from Rohit Sharma at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Thevisitors could manage 306/5 in their allotted 50 overs and fell short of thetarget by 31 runs.
“It was for the first time that Pakistani fans werepraying for India to win against England. However, it feels like the prayerscouldn’t reach India as they lost the match,” said Akhtar on his Youtubechannel.
“It was for the first time since Partition that we weresupporting India. I am sure India must have tried their best but their bestcould not help Pakistan and leave us with a hope,” he added.
Had India won the game against England, it would have madeit quite easy for Pakistan to enter the semifinals as they then needed to wintheir final group stage encounter against Bangladesh.
Akhtar felt that the English batsmen made full use of theconditions and exposed the Indian bowling line-up.
Bairstow scored a brilliant 111 and Ben Stokes played asuperb knock of 79 off just 54 balls to power England to 337/7.
“The Indian bowlers were completely exposed by JonnyBairstow and Jason Roy and other England batsmen. I felt that India could haveconceded at least 30 runs less. I felt that India could have chased down if thetotal was around 300. However, it was not the case and we were leftdisappointed,” said Akhtar
“The Indian spinners, especially Yuzvendra Chahal, weretaken to the cleaners by the English batsmen,” he added.
Chahal returned with figures of 0/88 in his 10 overs — hisworst figures in ODI cricket. Left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav also leaked 72runs in his 10 overs. Although, the only reprieve he had was the wicket ofJason Roy who was caught brilliant by substitute Ravindra Jadeja at long on athis individual score of 66.
Akhtar also criticised India’s batting approach in the first10 overs and also towards the end of the innings.
“India needed to get off to a flier during their chaseof 338. However, it was not the case and in the mix of things, they startedvery slowly. And towards, the end as well, they batted very slowly,” hesaid.
“The Indian batting line-up will have to do a lot ofthinking as their middle-order is getting exposed quite a number of times inthis World Cup.
With England’s win, Pakistan’s chances of making it to thesemifinals are left in a spot. They now need to win their last game againstBangladesh (Friday) and hope that New Zealand beat the Three Lions in theirlast encounter on Wednesday so that the Green Brigade can enter the knockoutstage.