‘I hope he is able to play…….’ – Shoaib Akhtar backs Babar Azam to play captain’s knock against India in ODI World Cup 2023

The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Ahemdabad for the high-octane battle against India for the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 14 at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium. Notably, Babar Azam and Co. defeated the Netherlands on October 6 and registered a historic win against Sri Lanka on October 10 at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

However, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hasn’t performed well from the bat in their first two games of the ODI World Cup 2023. Following the same, former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has backed Babar Azam by calling him one of the great players. In addition, the Rawalpindi Express feels the 28-year-old skipper has to score big runs to continue the winning momentum in the ODI World Cup 2023. The legendary pacer hopes that the right-handed batter plays great and gets big knocks in big matches.

“Yes, Babar Azam could not do well again. But we have found another player like Babar Azam in Abdullah Shafique. Babar is a great player, but you need to go out there and perform in bigger games like these. I am sure he will be able to do that in days to come. I hope he can play a good knock in a big match,” Shoaib Akhtar said.

I have my fingers crossed for the match against India: Shoaib Akhtar

Meanwhile, the former fast-bowler had kept his fingers crossed for the next clash against the Men in Blue. The great seamer wants the Pakistan team to perform well against the hosts in their next clash. In addition, the Rawalpindi-born cricketer said that Pakistan bowlers are not ODI bowlers and one should not accept much from them.

“I have my fingers crossed for the match against India. I want Pakistan to go out there and do well. I won’t criticize Pakistan’s bowling. These are our kids, and we should back them. These are not ODI bowlers; how can you expect them to be successful in this format? This same bowling unit will start to perform in the upcoming two or three matches,” he added further.