Akhtar praises Zaman for his performance and ‘average technique’

Pakistan former fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar applauded opening batsman Fakhar Zaman for his blistering inning against New Zealand today (Saturday).

Pakistan lost their first One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand by 61 runs on Duckworth–Lewis (DLS) method in rain affected game.

Chasing a healthy target of 316 runs, Pakistan batting line crumbled early as Sarfraz’s men were left reeling 54 for five, as the batsmen failed to adjust to the seaming conditions.

New Zealand beat Pakistan by 61 runs in rain-affected game

Akhtar slammed the Pakistani batsmen for failing to adjust to the seaming tracks because of ‘poor technique.’ However, he said that this could be overcome if one plays ‘intelligently’ like Zaman did today.

“Pakistan batting always going to suffer on seaming tracks because poor technique of our batsman. But Zaman showed that even with average technique you can do wonders by managing and playing intelligently,” stated Akhtar on social media.

Pak Batting always going to suffer on seaming tracks bcoz poor technique of our batsman..
But fakhar Zaman showed that even with average technique you can do wonders by managing & playing intelligently.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 6, 2018

Zaman’s unbeaten inning of 82 off 86 deliveries was a sigh of relief, in the otherwise one sided contest. With series 1-0 in favour of New Zealand, Pakistan would play their second ODI on January 9 at Nelson.