Shoaib Akhtar
Former Pakistan fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, expressed his belief that India is on the right track to replicate their 2011 World Cup heroics and stands as a strong contender to win the 2023 ODI World Cup. Akhtar’s comments came following India’s comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in their World Cup match held in Ahmedabad.
Pakistan, batting first, managed to score only 191 runs, with Babar Azam contributing a half-century. The Indian team efficiently chased down the target in 30.3 overs, largely thanks to Rohit Sharma’s superb knock of 86 runs.
Shoaib Akhtar commended Rohit Sharma for his exceptional batting performance, describing the Indian skipper as “ruthless” in his approach.
Akhtar stated on his YouTube channel, “I am beginning to believe India is about to repeat that history of the 2011 World Cup. If they don’t mess up in the semi-finals, India is really there to win this World Cup. So well done India. You have done wonderfully well. You destroyed us, demoralized us, and decimated us. Disappointing performance, a very disappointing performance. Today, India completely hammered Pakistan.”
He went on to praise Rohit Sharma further, saying, “Rohit Sharma was a one-man army. I don’t know where Rohit Sharma was in the last couple of years. He is a very big player and has a wide range of shots. He is a complete batter, a complete team, Pakistan’s humiliation is in front of us. India ne Bachon ki tarah maara (India beat Pakistan like kids). I couldn’t watch it. Rohit Sharma played ruthlessly.”
Akhtar highlighted that Rohit Sharma’s performance was a form of revenge for his lackluster showings in the past two years. “The kind of innings he played, he humiliated Pakistan’s bowling attack. He took revenge for the last two years where he didn’t get many runs. Good to see Rohit Sharma back, he did right to smash the bowlers. What’s the need to finish the game at the last overs and take it deep? Rohit hammered the bowlers,” Akhtar said.
These comments from Shoaib Akhtar reflect the awe-inspiring performance by Rohit Sharma and the Indian cricket team in their clash with Pakistan, igniting hope and optimism for India’s prospects in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
