World Cup 2019: Hassan Ali could show some energy in World Cup instead of jumping at Wagah border, says Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan pacer Hassan Ali made the headlines in April last year for all wrong reasons. The 24-year-old was brutally criticised when he was found mocking India’s Border Security Force personnel at the Wagah border by emulating the Pakistan Rangers and patted his thigh and flexed muscles at the Indian soldiers and spectators on the other side. The occasion was the flag-lowering ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border.

On Sunday, after Pakistan were thrashed by two-time champions India by 89 runs in a rain-curtailed match at Old Trafford, the old ghost returned to haunt Ali. He was the most expensive of all the frontline bowlers that Pakistan played in the game, conceding 84 runs in nine overs even though he got the prized wicket of centurion Rohit Sharma. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar lashed out at Ali saying while the bowler has all the energy to show off at the Wagah border, he fails to produce the same in a World Cup match for Pakistan.

In his YouTube video, Akhtar said he couldn’t gauge Ali’s mindset in the game. He said the pacer is eyeing to play only T20 cricket in Pakistan Super League and lacked pace and swing in the match.

Only Mohammad Amir came up with some substance as he took three wickets in the game. But there was little support from the rest of the bowling attack and India went on to post 336 for 5 in 50 overs. Pakistan had a good start in their chase but the dismissal of Babar Azam after hen put up a 100-plus partnership with Fakhar Zaman triggered a collapse in the middle order. Pakistan were 166 for 6 when rain intervened again and when they returned, the revised target was 302 but the chasers had only 30 balls to score the remaining 136 runs.

Akhtar calls Sarfaraz ‘brainless captain’ for bowling first

A visibly upset Akhtar even took a strong dig at captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and the Pakistan team management, calling them “brainless” and “clueless” respectively. He said the captain had committed a blunder by choosing to bowl first after winning the toss. He said had Pakistan batted first, even a score in the range of 150-260 would have put India under pressure.