IND vs BAN: Shoaib Akhtar praises India’s ‘clinical comeback’ in T20 series
The former Pakistan fast bowler feels India will be a potent team in the T20 World Cup next year if it strengthens its middle order.
Published : Nov 12, 2019 15:47 IST
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has praised the performance of the Indian team in the T20I series against Bangladesh.
India started the three-match series with a defeat but bounced back well to pocket it 2-1. The series concluded on Sunday with a 30-run victory in Nagpur. “India have proved who the boss is in the match. Though India lost the first game but made a clinical comeback in the series, courtesy Rohit Sharma’s scintillating batting display [in Rajkot],” Akhtar said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
“Rohit is a great talent, he can score runs any time he wants,” Akhtar added.
‘Hats off to B’desh’
“I thought the third T20I will be exciting to watch. However, India came out as a much better side, but hats off to Bangladesh for their spirited performance,” Akhtar said.
Chasing 175, Bangladesh looked all set to take the contest away from India when Mohammad Naim and Mohammed Mithun stitched a 98-run partnership. But the team lost a cluster of wickets together and was bundled out for 144. “Bangladesh is no ordinary side, we all must remember that the Tigers are not going to choke in front of any team,” Akhtar said.
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Akhtar praised Deepak Chahar, the Indian fast bowler who took six wickets in the match. “[Deepak] is a mix of medium pace and seam and he displayed a commendable performance by taking a hat-trick in the game,” he said.
According to Akhtar, all India needs to do is to strengthen its middle order before it can beat Australia and other top teams in the T20 World Cup next year.