T20 World Cup 2021: Harbhajan Singh reveals conversation with Shoaib Akhtar while taking dig at Pakistan team

The 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup just around the corner and fans can’t keep calm. While several fascinating clashes are in the pipeline, the clash between India and Pakistan has to be the much-awaited. The high-voltage encounter will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 24. With the two teams sharing a history of rivalry, many prominent members of cricket fraternity have presented their opinions on the encounter.

While doing so, veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took a sly dig at the Pakistan team. The 40-year-old apparently revealed his conversation with former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar. Harbhajan revealed that he told Akhtar Pakistan have no chance of defeating India. Hence, the Men in Green should give a walkover.

Indian team is very solid, they will beat Pakistan: Harbhajan Singh

“I have told Shoaib Akhtar, what is the point of Pakistan playing, you should give us a walkover, you will play, you will again lose, you will be upset. Our team is very solid, very strong, they will easily beat you guys,” Harbhajan Singh told Star Sports.

For the unversed, Harbhajan and Akhtar got engaged in several on-field altercations during their playing days. During the Indo-Pak clash in the 2010 Asia Cup, the Indian off-spinner even smashed Akhtar for a famous six during the course of his match-winning cameo. Although the two foes became friends later, Harbhajan didn’t miss out in pulling Akhtar’s leg.

The off-spinner’s claim indeed makes sense as Pakistan somehow haven’t been able to beat India once in World Cup events. To date, the two teams have met 12 World Cup matches – 7 in ODIs and 5 in T20Is – and India emerged victorious every single time. Hence, Babar Azam’s men will have the onus to defy history this time around.

With stalwarts like Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Mohammad Hafeez in ranks, Pakistan have named a pretty formidable squad. However, there aren’t many loopholes in the Indian side either. Hence, it would be interesting to see how the high-voltage game pans out.

Speaking of the two side’s last meeting, they crossed swords in the group stage of the 2019 World Cup. It was a cakewalk for India as they comfortably won the rain-curtailed clash by 89 runs.

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