Select Shots More Wisely, Wasim Akram's advice to Fakhar Zaman, Hafeez

Wasim Akram lavished praise on Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam, said Pakistan should be able to reach semis 

BIRMINGHAM: Former captain and swing bowler Wasim Akram has said that Pakistan outclassed New Zealand in all three departments in the World Cup match at Edgbaston on Wednesday and the team now has realistic chances of making it to the top four.

Talking to Geo in Birmingham after Pakistan’s remarkable victory in the must-win match, the Swing ka Sultan said that Pakistan team deserves all praise for the way they won the game against New Zealand.

“They must be given credit for such an outstanding performance,” a smiling Wasim said on Pakistan’s win.

“They were in a commanding position since the first ball of the match, they bowled well, batted well and fielding was good too."

Wasim praised Shaheen Shah Afridi for his superb bowling in the game.

Wasim admitted that knowing Pakistan’s poor record of chasing, he was a bit scared when he saw New Zealand post 237 but Pakistani batsman played really well and ended it positively.

He, however, seemed unhappy the way Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez got out.

“You don’t try to take all runs in start off a part timer, you need to be calm instead of misreading the delivery,” Wasim said of Hafeez's dismissal. He also added that Fakhar Zaman needs to be more mature with his shot selection.

The former captain was full of praise for the young Babar Azam, who smashed an unbeaten century to help Pakistan chase down the target comfortably.

“Babar has proved that he’s among the top batsmen of the world. Haris is also great but he needs to improve his physical fitness if he wants to be among the top class batsmen of the world."

The former captain said he believes Pakistan have very real chances of qualifying for the final four and England can be in danger zone, but added that the boys in green shouldn’t be complacent about weaker oppositions.

“Afghanistan have nothing to lose so they’ll go all out. Bangladesh are no more a minnow so they can pose a threat to Pakistan as well. So, you’ll have to be at your best. It will be interesting to see how England would proceed with their remaining games against India and New Zealand."