Shoaib Akhtar reckons if Pakistan qualifies to the final of the T20 World Cup 2021, there will be psychological pressure on New Zealand against Pakistan in the final, but Akhtar doesn’t think it will be easy for Pakistan to reach the final itself because they are up against Australia in the semifinal.
Pakistan has never ever won a World Cup knockout game against Australia in their history and although the UAE conditions are not quite similar to the conditions the Australian team generally gets at home, the Kangaroos have got enough arsenal to make a difference even in these conditions.
It will most likely be an encounter between the bowling attacks of Pakistan and Australia because both teams have got quality fast bowlers and a lot of variety in their attack as well. While both teams are capable enough of swinging the new ball up front, both are capable enough with their death bowling and in their spin department as well.
Shoaib Akhtar feels semifinal against Australia is a very tough challenge for Pakistan
According to Shoaib Akhtar, the semifinal is a bigger challenge for Australia than the potential final might be because if they get there into the final, they have an edge against the Kiwis for the sheer reason that they have faced them earlier in the tournament and have beaten them.
A lot has gone on between Pakistan and New Zealand in recent times, not just on the field, but off the field as well, as there is a bit of bitterness between the fanbases and the cricket boards of the two teams after New Zealand withdrew from Pakistan tour not too long back.
Although the group game between Pakistan and New Zealand in this T20 World Cup was played in good spirits, a bit of hard feeling is still there among the fans.
“Now, I want New Zealand to face Pakistan in the finals because they have a psychological pressure of facing us. But Pakistan has to cross the river of fire to become the finalists,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
