'It's a really embarrassing loss' — Shoaib Akhtar bemoans batsmen for not playing according to pitch conditions
Shoaib Akhtar pilloried Pakistan's batsmen approach against Zimbabwe in the second T20I that the hosts won comfortably by 19 runs. The dynamic former Pakistan cricketer and now an outspoken analyst shared his thoughts on today's match on his YouTube channel.
Akhtar feared the loss was on the cards after Pakistan narrowly won the T20 opener as batsmen struggled against the slowness of the pitch and weren't timing the ball well.
"I was fearing Pakistan would mess up on this wicket and Pakistan have been successful today. Pakistan tried to lose the last game but this time around they (were successful). The wicket is tough so why don't you play according to the pitch, play run-a-ball and play according to the situation and take ones and twos," said Akhtar.
Akhtar pointed out how pitches in Zimbabwe do not always offer value for shots and that the docile nature of the tracks isn't conducive to play pre-meditated shots.
"In Zimbabwe, wickets are a bit lifeless and it's not like Pakistan and India where you can play any shot at your will. It's a really embarrassing loss against zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a good team when it comes to T20 and Pakistan got a lot of things to think about.
Pakistan's middle-order woes are no longer a secret as once again the middle-order underwent a massive collapse and lost seven wickets for 21 runs. Akhtar gave credit to the Zimbabwe team for being valorous and exposing Pakistan's faultlines.
"Losing series against Zimbabwe will be very alarming and it would be unfortunate. all credit goes to Zimbabwe, they played gutsy cricket and they proved that they can defend a small total and they can expose the Pakistan team. Pakistan should think about their middle order," Akhtar added.
"They should think about which player they want to stick with and roles must be defined. How long it is going to take for the roles to be defined? I want Pakistan to come back strongly and win the series and the manner in which batsmen threw wickets was painful," said Akhtar.
Both teams will strive to clinch the series in the third T20I on Sunday at Harare Sports Club.
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