‘It is extremely disappointing’ – Shoaib Akhtar criticizes Indian media for biased coverage of India-Pakistan matches

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has slammed the Indian media for portraying India’s superiority over Pakistan when it comes to international cricket. On Sunday, October 24, Pakistan defeated Virat Kohli’s India by 10 wickets in the Super 12 fixture of the T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Shoaib was of the opinion that Pakistan and India are pretty much equally matched and both teams can defeat each other on their respective days. He also lashed out at a few former cricketers for using “foul language” against players of their own team.

I understand why media do it, it is their business: Shoaib Akhtar

The 46-year-old Shoaib put forth his opinions on his official YouTube channel. “Why does the Indian media portray that their team cannot lose a match? This is cricket. Pakistan comprehensively beat India and the same can happen to Pakistan. That’s the beauty of the game,” Shoaib said.

“I understand why media do it, it is their business. I will never understand how ex-cricketers who have played cricket at the highest level use such foul language against their own cricket team after they suffer a defeat. It is extremely disappointing,” he stated.

The victory on Sunday was Pakistan’s first against India in World Cups regardless of the format. Shoaib said that keeping in mind the recent developments in Pakistan cricket, the triumph over India was necessary to boost the morale of their players.

The Rawalpindi Express said that after the win, the budding cricketers in Pakistan may look up to the likes of Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for inspiration.

“This win against India was absolutely crucial for Pakistan, not because India is our enemy but because Pakistan has suffered a lot in recent past. From 2009, Pakistan cricket suffered, and then the New Zealand episode happened. This win is important because watching the likes of Babar and Shaheen; our children will want to emulate them which is an ultimate victory for us,” Shoaib added.

Shaheen became the Player of the Match after he picked up three crucial wickets of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Babar also contributed with 68 runs while opening the batting with Mohammad Rizwan, who made 79.