'Even kids don’t play like this' - Shoaib Akhtar blasts New Zealand after 0-5 T20I series defeat

New Zealand was demolished 5-0 by Team India in the recently concluded T20I series in their own backyard. The home side usually found themselves in the position of advantage, but then crumbled under pressure put by terrific Indian batting, which was evident from them losing two Super Overs in the series. It was a demoralizing performance from the Black Caps which was criticized from all quarters.

Virat Kohli and his troops became the first team to whitewash their opposition in a series of 5 T20Is and it was also Men in Blue’s first T20I series win in New Zealand only the second one over them overall. KL Rahul triumphed with the bat and behind the stumps. He even led admirably well in the last T20I when stand-in captain Rohit Sharma got injured and couldn’t take the field. However, even then New Zealand couldn’t find a way to win the match to salvage some pride.

Shoaib Akhtar claims New Zealand played foolish cricket  

Former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar reviewed the India-New Zealand T20I series on his YouTube channel and severely criticized the home team for playing such bad cricket. In Akhtar’s own words, New Zealand played “stupid” cricket and came out looking really ‘immature’ in their batting approach during the T20I series.

“What we have seen today again, it’s just stupid. I think now that New Zealand will have to be told: “Dear kids, this is how you have to play, how to score runs, take singles also”. Who loses 3 wickets in an over yaar? The last match too did the same. I really really fail to understand what they are doing,” Akhtar opened up on his Youtube channel.

New Zealand needed 66 runs in the last 60 balls with Tim Seifert and Ross Taylor well set, but then Jasprit Bumrah and Navdeep Saini bowled some superb overs at the death and Shardul Thakur finished the job by defending 21 runs in the last over. Post the unimpressive batting display of the Kiwis, Akhtar felt that New Zealand played worst than kids.

“New Zealand played like kids but even kids don’t play like this. They came out as an immature team. There is no strength in their middle-order. Their brains look empty to me when they can’t chase 50 off 40 balls. I know I’m being harsh but I don’t like to see this in international cricket,” added Akhtar.

Here is the video: