Pakistan supported India for 1st time since partition: Shoaib Akhtar

New Delhi: As Pakistan fans were seen supporting India during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup clash against England on Sunday, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar revealed that it was the first time since partition that his country supported the Men in Blue.
India’s clash against England was a lot more than just a clash between the two teams as the result had the potential of changing other teams’ fortune in the World Cup. After India lost the match to England, the latter toppled Pakistan to regain their fourth position in the points table.
“India had five wickets in hands, so I thought they will take chances but they did not. I think India played very slow there. Anyways, it was our desire as Pakistanis and we were supporting India for the first time since partition, but India were unable to win and whosoever had performed from the Indian side, he would have become our hero as well,” Akhtar said in a Youtube video.
After opting to bat first, England racked up 337 runs on the scoreboard which they defended easily to secure a 31-run victory over India. Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant century, his third in the edition of the premier tournament. However, Sharma’s 102 and Kohli’s 66 was not enough for the Indian side to chase the target.
India’s middle order yet again came under immense criticism following their defeat. MS Dhoni was again criticised for his slow-paced inning as he scored 42 runs off 31 deliveries. Although his strike rate was above hundred, it was not enough to help India chase the mammoth target set by the hosts.
Akhtar also opined that India’s middle order is a concern for the team.