Pakistan suffered their second defeat on the UK tour against a second-string England team at Lord’s, London, on Saturday (July 10). Opting to bowl first after a half-hour rain delay, the Pakistan bowlers made a terrific start and scalped 2 wickets in five overs.
Riding on a 97-run partnership between Philip Salt (60) and World Cup winner, James Vince (56), England bounced back after the early stutter.
The Pakistan bowlers failed to keep the pressure on and England ended up putting up a total of 247 on the board. The total proved to be enough as Pakistan were bowled out 195, losing the tie by a 52-run margin.
Pakistan’s below-par performance against the Ben Stokes-led side gave another opportunity to the former cricketers to criticise the members of the Babar Azam-led side. And once again, Shoaib Akhtar criticised the Men in Green.
Akhtar criticised Shaheen Afridi for his celebration and asked the youngster to scalp more wickets rather than celebrating with flying kisses and hugs.
“Shaheen Afridi likes blowing flying kisses more than taking wickets. At least take five wickets or run through a batting lineup before these hugs and flying kisses. What’s the point of doing it after just one wicket,” Akhtar told Cricket Pakistan.
“Don’t give excuses like the team wasn’t gelled in. They [England] assembled a team two and half days before the match and they were able to gel in but you weren’t despite being together for 30 days. You lost to England’s academy team,” he added.
Afridi bowled an impressive spell of 8-0-37-1 in the 2nd ODI. He was Pakistan’s sole wicket-taker in the opening game, which the visitors lost by a margin of 9 wickets.
