Virat Kohli has stolen Pakistan's attitude: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has rued the state of the current Pakistani team in the wake of India’s recent dominance in world cricket. Akhtar was a part of the Pakistani team that was one of the best in the world at that time and thoroughly dominated India. However, the tables have completely turned now.

While Pakistan cricket is desperate for the return of consistency to their camp, India are growing from strength to strength. Recently, Pakistan suffered a humiliating whitewash in the three-match T20I series at home against a second-string Sri Lankan side. Prior to that, they had bowed out of the World Cup at the league stage.

India, on the other hand, is toying with South Africa in the ongoing Test series and have already sealed the three-match contest with a game in hand. Before that, the Virat Kohli-led side had made light work of West Indies in their own backyard. And as India continues to dominate, Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his desire of seeing Pakistan playing like their arch-rivals.

“Congratulations to India. They become the number one team. As a Pakistani, I want my country to do as good as India is doing. Until and unless we have brave people who also know about the modern-day game, we cannot do well. I am not talking about myself. There are a lot of people like Younis Khan, Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Mohammad Wasim who can take Pakistan cricket ahead,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

‘It is really disheartening’

Shoaib Akhtar further spoke about Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian team. The tearaway pacer spoke highly of Kohli and said that the batsman’s attitude reminds him of his hay-days in the Pakistan team. He called Kohli brave and rued how Pakistan has turned into the Indian team of the 90s which used to struggle.

“Virat Kohli has stolen over Pakistan’s attitude. Like we used to have fun in the team and like we won in India in the 90s, Kohli is now doing the same. Today, India has transformed into Pakistan and Pakistan has turned into India. It is really disheartening. We don’t want to see any cowards, we want brave cricketers,” said Shoaib Akhtar.

Watch the video here