Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Questions will be raised if New Zealand loses to Afghanistan says Shoaib Akhtar | Shoaib Akhtar says Afghanistan beating NZ will raise questions
Shoaib Akhtar is never far away from controversy, and the former Pakistan fast bowler put himself in the limelight once again.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Akhtar claimed that a lot of questions will be asked if New Zealand loses to Afghanistan, which is a result that India needs if they wish to qualify. Virat Kohli’s team needs Afghanistan to win that match as a Black Caps’ victory will put them on eight points, out of reach of India’s maximum of six.
Also, Shoaib pointed to how Pakistan fans are feeling about New Zealand, after they cancelled their tour of Pakistan just hours before the first ODI in September. It left fans and players heartbroken, and Shoaib warned that the social media storm would be a big one if New Zealand loses.
“Sentiments of Pakistan people are too high in New Zealand” – Shoaib Akhtar
“If New Zealand lose to Afghanistan, then many questions will be raised. Let me warn you beforehand, many questions will be raised. I fear it would start another trending news on social media. I don’t want to get into more controversies, I don’t want to talk on these topics but the sentiments of Pakistan people are too high in New Zealand,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
“I think New Zealand is a better team than Afghanistan, god forbid, if they don’t win, there will be a problem, no one will be able to stop what’s being said on social media.”
Pakistan playing India would be good for cricket
However, Shoaib then went on to say that Pakistan playing India again would be great for the tournament and cricket. He praised India for their fightback, courtesy of thumping victories against Afghanistan and Scotland.
“I really think this tournament has headed to an interesting phase. India coming back has made the tournament come back alive. There is a chance now that India will play Pakistan again. We have to wait and see. It will be good for cricket and good for the youngsters if that happens,” Akhtar said.
“If India gets knocked out, it will be quite demoralising. They have played good cricket but they have played it late.”
New Zealand will play Afghanistan in Sunday’s first match. If New Zealand win, they will confirm their passage through to the Semi Finals. India and Afghanistan would officially be out at that point.
