Sports Desk Dubai
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said questions will be asked on social media if New Zealand fail to beat Afghanistan in their Super 12 match on Sunday at the T20 World Cup 2021.
Akhtar said he wants to refrain from controversy but hinted a lot will be spoken on social media if Afghanistan win and keep India’s chances to reach the semi-final of the tournament alive.
New Zealand and Afghanistan will meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday in what is being dubbed as a virtual quarter-final.
If New Zealand win, they will be through to the semi-final of T20 World Cup 2021 along with Pakistan from Group 2. However, if Afghanistan manage to stun Kane Williamson’s men, they will stand a good chance of reaching the final four.
An Afghanistan win will also brighten India’s chances of making the semi-final as they take on Namibia in their final match of Super 12 on Monday.
India already have a better Net Run Rate than Afghanistan and they will know what they have to do against Namibia to eliminate Afghanistan even if Mohammad Nabi’s men beat New Zealand on Sunday.
“If New Zealand lose to Afghanistan, then many questions will be raised. Let me warn you beforehand, many questions will be raised. I fear it would start another trending news on social media.
I don’t want to get into more controversies, I don’t want to talk on these topics but the sentiments of Pakistan people are too high in New Zealand,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
“I think New Zealand is a better team than Afghanistan, god forbid, if they don’t win, there will be a problem, no one will be able to stop what’s being said on social media.”
Akhtar, meanwhile, lauded India’s late charge in T20 World Cup 2021, saying the tournament has come alive after their win over Afghanistan and Scotland.
