T20 World Cup 2022: India openers looked under pressure, says Shoaib Akhtar after Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s poor run

Former Pakistan gun fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul looked under pressure when they came out to bat to chase down 160 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 at the MCG on Sunday.

Both the openers didn’t play a single aggressive shot and took a defensive approach. KL Rahul, who has been in decent form in the recent past, played the ball back onto the stumps against Naseem Shah. Subsequently, Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Haris Rauf as Iftikhar Ahmed took a fine catch at the first slip.

In fact, India had recently adopted an aggressive approach but it was put on the back burner by Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.

“India openers looked under pressure. Rohit Sharma as a captain should calm himself down and KL Rahul is throwing his wicket by focusing too much on himself,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

Akhtar claimed it was one of the best matches in the history of the game. The former ace paceman feels Pakistan could have scored more than what they eventually managed.

“It was one of the best matches in the history of the game. The wicket was very bad, and it was difficult to understand the ball. But Pakistan achieved 160 on it. Pakistan could have achieved more but unfortunately, our lower middle order couldn’t play maturely.

Rawalpindi Express, as he was known during his heydays, added that Pakistan played well and they will keep getting better despite the loss.

“Pakistan accepts this defeat with grace and come back with a strategy and resources and a better game plan. You don’t have to fall from here, you have played wonderfully,” Akhtar said.

Pakistan will be disappointed as they had the match in their grasp but they could not close it out.

Pakistan will next face Zimbabwe on Thursday at the Perth Stadium, Perth.