'Would have sacked team management and captain' - Shoaib Akhtar on Pakistan's decision to bowl first vs England

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar and former England captain Michael Vaughan have criticized the decision of the Pakistan cricket team to bowl first in the second T20I against England in Headingley, Leeds on Sunday, July 18. The visiting team eventually lost the second game of the series by a margin of 45 runs.

Shoaib Akhtar uploaded a short video from his Twitter account stating how disappointed he was with the decision taken by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. He explained that having batted first in the first T20I and scored 232, Pakistan should have batted again. Akhtar felt that Pakistan missed an opportunity by allowing England to put a big score on the board. 

Akhtar further said that he would have sacked the team management and the captain, Babar Azam if he was a chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). England batting first produced a total of 200. Pakistan started well initially, but lost their way in the chase and ended up finishing their innings on 155 for 9. 

It’s beyond me, just speechless: Shoaib Akhtar on Pakistan’s decision to bowl

“Such a poor decision by captain & the management by bowling 1st on a great batting pitch it’s beyond me just speechless,” the caption of Akhtar’s bowling said. In the video, he said, “Everyone knows that the wicket is flat, I don’t know why you would bowl first on this track,” Akhtar said. 

Vaughan had a similar opinion like Akhtar and stated it on Twitter. He wrote, “Lovely afternoon at Headingley .. England too strong but no idea why Pakistan bowled first .. Anyway it sets up the last game.” The fact that Pakistan had batted first and put on a huge total in the first match, which they successfully defended, makes the decision of bowling first a bit more absurd. 

With this win, England have now drawn the series, setting up a series finale on July 20. The third and the final T20I will be played at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester. Interestingly enough, Jos Butler, who came back into the England XI for the second game, led them. Eoin Morgan, who has been a bit out of form, rested himself in this crucial encounter. There is no update on whether he will be back for the final match or not.