Aakash Chopra disagrees with Shoaib Akhtar after the latter hails Men in Green for a crucial win

Aakash Chopra could not help by question Shoaib Akhtar after the former Pakistan speedster boasted about his team’s knack of bouncing back. Pakistan, on Wednesday, stunned New Zealand by six wickets to keep their semifinal hopes alive. With the win, Pakistan also ended New Zealand’s unbeaten start to the tournament. It was a clinical performance from Pakistan in front of a jam-packed crowd in Birmingham.

The reigning Champions Trophy holders impressed with both bat and ball to register their third win of the tournament. Sarfaraz Ahmed decided to bowl first and his pacers proved him right away straight away. Mohammad Amir struck with his first ball of the match to send back Martin Guptill before Shaheen Afridi accounted for Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan soon joined the party and dismissed Kane Williamson to reduce New Zealand to 83 for 5.

At that stage, it looked like New Zealand would not even cross the 150-run mark. However, an unbeaten 97 from Jimmy Neesham and another fighting fifty from Colin de Grandhomme helped them score a challenging 237 for 6. In reply, Pakistan chased down the total by losing four wickets and five balls to spare. They started poorly and lost Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman cheaply. However, Babar Azam scored a fine unbeaten century and Haris Sohail scored his second consecutive fifty to take their side over the line.

Aakash Chopra disagrees with Shoaib Akhtar

As soon as the game ended, delighted Shoaib Akhtar took to Twitter to hail Pakistan, lauding them for their ability to bounce back every time they are being cornered.

“Never corner Pakistan. We become tigers when you do that. Congratulations & well-done boys,” wrote Shoaib Akhtar.

Never corner Pakistan. We become tigers when you do that. Congratulations & well done boys. #PAKvNZ #cwc19 #Pakistan #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/AnKfB8TUre

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 26, 2019

Aakash Chopra, however, was not at all ready to agree with Akhtar and explained the reason for the same. The former India batsman correctly pointed out that Pakistan only have themselves to blame for being cornered before also stating that the Men in Green do not always bounce back.

“But who corners Pakistan, brother? It’s your own team that plays itself into a situation that demands desperate measures….and it’s not that Pak bounces back every time too. Or else would’ve won more than one World Cup,” wrote Aakash Chopra.

But who corners Pakistan, brother? It’s your own team that plays itself into a situation that demands desperate measures….and it’s not that Pak bounces back every time too. Or else would’ve won more than one World Cup. https://t.co/8IdEWsC0eB

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 26, 2019