Pakistan cricket crew have their backs towards the wall after the primary 5 matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with simply 4 factors to their title. Babar Azam’s aspect had begun the event on a brilliant observe with a few wins over Netherlands and Sri Lanka however since then have misplaced three matches in a row to India, Australia and now Afghanistan.
With 4 extra matches remaining towards New Zealand, South Africa, England and Bangladesh, Pakistan have to win all of these matches to stay in competition for a berth within the semifinal stage. Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar in an unique interplay with Zee News believes the Pakistan crew might want to generate the spirit of 1992 World Cup which they received down underneath in the event that they dwelling to make it to the final 4 stage.
“I knew the potential of Pakistan before the World Cup, I knew unhone dil-gurda dikhana nahi hai. In 1992 World Cup, it was the same situation. It is a matter of pride and we have to tolerate this. Can Babar Azam be Imran Khan, can Shaheen Shah Afridi be Wasim Akram, can Haris Rauf be Aaqib Javed? To answer these questions, the Pakistan team have to sit together. They need to answer the question if we can repeat what we managed to do in 1992 World Cup,” Shoaib Akhtar informed Zee News.
Pakistan’s solely ODI World Cup title got here in 1992 underneath the captaincy of former all-rounder and Pakistam Prime Minister Imran Khan. After the primary 5 matches of the 1992 World Cup, Pakistan crew simply had 3 factors with 2 of them coming from a win over lowly Zimbabwe. They had misplaced to West Indies, India and South Africa and simply prevented defeat to England after getting bowled out for 74 due to rain.
But they rallied to make the semifinals after that – pipping hosts Australia, who had 8 factors to Pakistan’s 9 factors after the league levels. Imran Khan’s aspect then defeated favourites New Zealand and England within the semifinal and ultimate to create historical past.
“Only Babar Azam can save Pakistan, he needs to get his strike-rate up to 120 first. Babar has to give belief system that Pakistan have four matches left and they need to win all of them,” Akhtar mentioned about Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
‘Pakistan should have mar sakte hain yaa maar sakte hain spirit’
After the shock loss, it has not come right down to ‘do-or-die’ scenario for Pakistan. Akhtar believes the crew ought to now play with ‘mar sakte hain yaa maar sakte hain’ spirit.
“I am not giving up on Pakistan. I can criticize and write off Pakistan. If I was the coach, only 4 matches left – ab hum mar sakte hain yaa maar sakte hain. We are at our best when hum ‘maarte hain’,” Akhtar mentioned.
The 48-year-old former pacer believes lack of ODI and first-class cricket is hurting the Pakistan tempo bowling assault. Haris Rauf has solely performed in 33 ODIs and 9 first-class matches until date whereas Shaheen Shah Afridi has performed in solely 49 ODIs and 36 first-class matches.
“Pakistan fast bowlers are slowly getting getting used to ODI cricket. They need to play more ODI and first-class cricket. They need to bowl 300-400 overs in a year to be ready for ODI cricket,” Akhtar mentioned in regards to the Pakistan tempo bowling assault.
‘Is he Mickey Arthur or Tom Cruise?’
Akhtar was additionally irate on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for bringing over Mickey Arthur in any respect price and likewise slammed the PCB choice committee and PCB technical committee led by former captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
“It was personal choice of Najam Sethi to bring over Mickey Arthur at any cost. Is he Mickey Arthur or Tom Cruise? Nobody is talking about selection committee, technical committee run by Misbah or Pakistan management. Everyone is cursing Babar Azam,” Akhtar mentioned.
“If I was there, I would have put my life on the line. There are four matches remaining – New Zealand, South Africa, England and Bangladesh. You have to show anger. Australia and South Africa are stuck, England have not qualified,” Akhtar added.
