Shoaib Akhtar warns India ahead of the epic clash on June 4

The epic clash between India and Pakistan is just two days away. And verbal wars are have already waged from cricket experts and fans on both sides. Team India will meet Pakistan for the fourth time in the Champions Trophy and a mouth-watering duel is on the cards in Birmingham on June 4.

India and Pakistan clashes are the most awaited fixtures in major ICC tournaments. Sports channels run their discussions and debates with former cricketers as their guests from a week before the clash. Social media outlets remain abuzz with banters and flexing of records.

Exchange of words

Recently on a news channel, ABP, former cricketers and rivals Virender Sehwag and Shoaib Akhtar got into a verbal clash. The former swashbuckling batsman Sehwag left no stone unturned in throwing pot-shots at the speedster. He ridiculed Akhtar saying that Pakistan will continue its evergreen record of losses against India in this tournament also and Virat Kohli’s men will beat the Men in Green hands down.

The Pakistani pacer who has been a regular Star Sports commentator in India was grounded and soft in his reply. In his opinion, Pakistan is going through a transition phase which has badly bruised the team’s performance. Throwing a gleam of hope, the Rawalpindi Express said that Pakistan holds a better ODI track record and hence India should be wary of that. They can spring a surprise performance on their day.

Akhtar’s take

Pakistani players should play out of their skins like Virat Kohli. They have to be mentally sound to win a match like Kohli and should have an excellent awareness of the progress of the match which the talismanic batsman possesses. Only then can they become match-winners.

“Pakistan needs to play like Kohli or even half of what Kohli plays like. If we play with game awareness at run a ball or at an economy of 4 or 5 for the complete 50 overs, will provide Pakistan with a very strong chance,” said Akhtar.

Before signing off, Shoaib warned that India can invite danger if it takes Pakistan in a light vein as they boast of the most lethal bowling unit and can castle any batsman on the given day.