World Cup 2019: Kamran Akmal wishes both India, New Zealand luck

With India remaining in the cricket World cup 2019 as the only Asian team, a lot of supporters have now started backing Virat Kohli’s men, even those from Pakistan. After former Pakistan cricketers like Basit Ali and Shoaib Akhtar backed the Men in Blue to win the trophy, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal too has voiced his support for the neighbours. India will begin their knock-out campaign on Tuesday when they take on New Zealand at Old Trafford, Manchester.

India have remained one of the best teams in the tournament so far with seven wins and only one loss, which was against hosts England. They topped the points table with a tally of 15 and are meeting the fourth position holder New Zealand. Kane Williamson’s side started off well in the tournament but lost back-to-back three games towards the end to slump a little. Australia and England are the other two teams in the semi-final.

Akmal was highly critical of Pakistan’s performance

The 37-year-old Akmal, who had featured in the World Cup semi-final against India in Mohali in 2011, wished luck to both the teams ahead of the first semi-final but also revealed that Team India has been his favourite side in the tournament from the start. Akmal was even critical of his own country saying those who were hoping that Pakistan would win the title this time were only daydreaming.

He was among those who had brutally attacked Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men after they were thrashed by India at the same Old Trafford by 89 runs (via DLS Method) on June 16. He had even asked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take steps against the national cricket team for their performance. Pakistan, however, made a decent comeback following that loss and won four matches on the trot but yet failed to make the semis owing to a poor net run-rate.

First semifinal of #cwc19 good luck to both teams…but from the start of the tournament my favourite is team india #indiavsNewzealand may the best team wins

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) July 9, 2019

India will be banking on Rohit Sharma to give them yet another flying start through New Zealand’s pace attack featuring the likes of Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson will not be easy to put away. India will also be relying on their famed bowling attack to deliver against a New Zealand batting line-up which is not in the best of shape at the moment.