"England told Pakistan, you save your Test match, we will save Test cricket": Shoaib Akhtar

[MenInG]

"England told Pakistan, you save your Test match, we will save Test cricket": Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar:

"England gave a chance to Pakistan. England told them, "You save your Test match. We will save Test cricket. You save your place in the team. We will break our bowlers for you." However, Pakistan did not capitalize on it."

"There is a difference in the mindset. If Pakistan were in a similar situation as England, would they declare? They would never declare"

"It was such a bad pitch. It was good for batting, but not one Pakistan batter took a chance. Pakistan never showed any intent to win. They even prepared this type of a pitch to play out a draw"

 

[SpiritOf1903]

That's quite poetic.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

One of the rare times that Shoaib is 100% correct.

 

[Rana]

This has to be one of the most shameful defeats in the history of the game. How Babar and his vice captain do not feel embarrassed by it, and instead tweet ‘we will bounce back’ is even more shocking!

This is why I love this format. There is no way to hide from your shortcomings in this format! You can’t tell the world you are the best because the opponent will show you on the same track you are not what you claim to be.

 

[Rana]

One of the rare times that Shoaib is 100% correct.

He is usually correct. So is Aqib Javed

 

[badsha001]

"You can keep your personal rankings while we win the trophies" some Englishmen said.

 

[topspin]

Shoaib Akhtar:

"England gave a chance to Pakistan. England told them, "You save your Test match. We will save Test cricket. You save your place in the team. We will break our bowlers for you." However, Pakistan did not capitalize on it."

"There is a difference in the mindset. If Pakistan were in a similar situation as England, would they declare? They would never declare"

"It was such a bad pitch. It was good for batting, but not one Pakistan batter took a chance. Pakistan never showed any intent to win. They even prepared this type of a pitch to play out a draw"

Truer words have never been spoken.

 

[shortbread]

Would fans forgive Babar if he makes a brave declaration and then goes on to lose a close game? All these commentators/experts be like 'so amateur of him to declare so early!'.

The difference is England doesn't fear a loss or the consequences it comes with. Neither Brendon McCullum or Stokes care two hoots about losing the coach or captaincy roles respectively, they're millionaires who will brush this aside and get plum opportunities elsewhere. They'll push this team to play positive cricket down to the last wicket and the players feed of this.

The home side on the other hand are trying to survive in a different world altogether. The likes of Saqlain or Babar cannot afford such a cavalier attitude.

 

[Kianig89]

This was like a horror show, mystery house still giving me shivers been following Test cricket Pakistan games religiously never felt so low and shameful even that ill-fated 2010 Eng tour was not that tragic, biggest fear is we will fall short in Multan as well can't say but have to say Saqib and Moyo you are the culprits