Shoaib Akhtar feels Imam-ul-Haq’s batting hurt Pakistan vs Australia; Pietersen differs

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is a busy man this World Cup, even though he is not playing. The 43-year-old is presenting his opinions and analyses and even predicting the results of games correctly. He has backed his team in the tournament irrespective of the results that have been inconsistent, to say the least. However, the Rawalpindi Express was dejected after Pakistan lost against Australia in Taunton in a game that they could win but for some momentary lapses.

Pakistan did well to peg back the Australians after they were strongly placed at 189 for 1 in less than 29 overs. A magnificent 5 for 30 by left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir in 10 overs saw Aaron Finch’s men getting all out for 307 in 49 overs. In response, Pakistan had a good start to the chase and were 146 for 3 but slumped from there to be bowled out for 266. It was Pakistan’s second loss in four matches and they next take on arch-rivals India at Old Trafford on Sunday.

In his analysis, Akhtar, who played the World Cup final in England in 1999, blamed young opener Imam-ul-Haq for the defeat. The bespectacled left-hand opener scored 53 off 75 balls at a strike rate of around 71 and according to Akhtar, that had put the Men in Green under pressure and they eventually lost. “I have always raised concerns over Imam’s strike rate. Scored 53 off 75 balls, put the whole team under pressure. Hence, the crumbling. Sigh,” Akhtar said in a tweet.

I have always raised concerns over Imam's strike rate. Scored 53 off 75 balls, put the whole team under pressure. Hence, the crumbling. Sigh. #AUSvPAK #CWC19

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 12, 2019

Pakistan had a poor catching performance

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen begged to differ. Pietersen, who exchanged banters on Twitter with Akhtar earlier, said Pakistan struggled to field and bowl well against Aaron Finch’s men. While Amir did a good job, not many Pakistan bowlers gave him worthy support while the catching was disastrous.

Pakistan’s middle order also failed to rise to the occasion as veteran like Shoaib Malik failed to deliver. It was a 39-ball 45 cameo from Wahab Riaz which took Pakistan closer to the Australian total but wasn’t enough at the end to overhaul it.

Or your catching?
Or your bowling?

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) June 12, 2019

Pakistan have so far been erratic in their performance in the World Cup. They were bowled out for 105 against the West Indies and then scored 348 against a powerful England. The dip in the batting show in Australia again would mean they would have to come up with a real effort against India’s formidable bowling attack on Sunday.