Shoaib Akhtar says, Pakistan supported India for the first time after the partition (Photo: Reuters)
HIGHLIGHTS
- India lost for the first time in this World Cup, to England by 31 runs
- England took over Pakistan's fourth position in the World Cup points table
- England need to win their last group game vs New Zealand to reach the semi-finals
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 Pakistan is 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 were 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.
Now India will have to think about their middle order as they are getting exposed again and again. They are unable to score there and it will be a worrying point for India in the coming days," he said.
India will now face Bangladesh on July 2.
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