ICC CWC'19: Shoaib Akhtar criticises Sarfaraz's decision to bowl first against India
According to Akhtar, Sarfaraz might have made the same mistake which Virat Kohli had made in the final of Champions Trophy 2017.
Mumbai: Former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar has criticised Sarfaraz Ahmed's decision of choosing to bowl first against India in Match 22 of ICC World Cup 2019.
According to Akhtar, Sarfaraz might have made the same mistake which Indian skipper Virat Kohli had made in the final of Champions Trophy 2017.
He tweeted, "Sarfaraz made the same mistake what Kohli made back in CT17. Won toss and bowl first. #PAKvsIND"
Sarfaraz made the same mistake what kohli made back in CT17. Won toss and bowl first. #PAKvsIND
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 16, 2019
Pakistan was successful in posting a mammoth total of 338 against India in the Champions Trophy Final after Kohli won the toss and put Pakistan to bat first. Fakhar Zaman was awarded Man of the Match trophy for his 114-run knock.
However, The Men in Blue managed to post only 158 on the board, succumbing to Mohammad Amir's initial spell. Amir scalped the wickets of India's top three batsmen- Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Vira Kohli. Hardik Pandya's cameo of 76 runs off 43 balls went in vain after he got run-out due to miscommunication with Ravindra Jadeja.
India have got off to a flying start due to Rohit Sharma's 24th ODI ton. The Indian side has never lost to Pakistan in six matches they played in the ICC Cricket World Cup history and will look to continue their winning streak today.
Pakistan, who suffered a 41-run loss to Australia in Taunton on Wednesday, are currently ninth in the 10-team table.
On the other hand, Kohli's side has yet to lose at this World Cup after winning their completed group fixtures against both South Africa and Australia.