Shoaib Akhtar has acknowledged that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is still in his early days of captaincy in T20 World Cup 2021

Shoaib Akhtar, a former Pakistani sprinter, has said that Pakistan captain Babar Azam is still learning the ropes. He believes Babar didn’t keep his composure during the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final loss to Australia.

The 46-year-old also lauded Australia’s maturity, experience, and serenity in dispatching a dangerous Pakistani team the day before.

While pursuing 177 runs, Australia reduced to 96-5 and needed 81 runs in the last 46 deliveries. Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade, two of Australia’s best batsmen, kept their cool.

The pair kept the scoreboard ticking against the spinners and suffocated the pacers as soon as they came into play. They put up an incredible 81-run stand in just 40 balls to seal one of the team’s most arduous triumphs.

Shoaib Akhtar stated that Pakistan was not terrified, but rather panicked, in the face of the Australian force.

“You have to agree here that our (Pakistan) captain is young and new and in the end could not keep composed. On the other hand, Australia is a mature team and there they use their experience, culture, base to remain composed and did not get scared. Pakistan team, though, did not get scared but panicked.” Akhtar said

Akhtar also expressed his concern that his team may never have another such easy and straightforward opportunity to win a T20 trophy. Pakistan should have won the World Cup, according to the former cricketer-turned-expert.

“He (Babar Azam) is a new captain and I understand that but winning 5 out of 6 games, I thought this Pakistan’s World Cup to win. This could won. We might not get such an easy chance ever again. We tried our best but the best was not good enough for yesterday. The better team won.”  Akhar reflected

Babar Azam

Prior to the semi-finals, Babar Azam’s team was in excellent form. They were the only team in the competition to go undefeated throughout the tournament’s Super 12 games.

Shoaib Akhtar, who has 444 international wickets, also commented on Pakistani left-hander Fakhar Zaman’s dazzling performance. After working at 17 from 17 at one point, Fakhar went insane, completing his 50 deliveries in just 31 deliveries.

While applauding Zaman’s performance against Australia, Akhtar was critical of the left-strategy hander’s in the middle overs. The 31-year-old, according to Akhtar, couldn’t rotate the strike in the middle of the game. He also believes Pakistan should have scored 200 runs in the first innings but fell 20-25 runs short.

Following Australia’s victory over Pakistan, the two countries will meet in the ultimate T20 World Cup 2021 Final in New Zealand. On November 14, the match will be at the Dubai International Stadium (Sunday)

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