Shoaib Akhtar expresses displeasure on ICC’s decision

Pakistan former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who was in the audience during the ICC T20 World Cup final on Sunday between New Zealand and Australia, believed that it was an unfair decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to name Aussie’s David Warner as the Man of the Tournament.

Warner scored 289 runs in seven innings with an average of 48.16 including three half-centuries.

Warner scored his third half venturing in the final. With 173 required, the left-handed opener provided the boost to the team, and although he was dismissed right after scoring his destructive half-century, he completed the job he needed to perform.

However, what Akhtar and millions of fans around the globe wanted was not Warner but Pakistan skipper Babar Azam to be crowned the player of the tournament award for his exceptional batting throughout the T20 World Cup.

Akhtar took it to Twitter and expressed his displeasure saying: “Was really looking forward to see @babarazam258 to becoming Man of the Tournament. Unfair decision for sure.”

Was really looking forward to see @babarazam258 becoming Man of the Tournament. Unfair decision for sure.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 14, 2021

Babar had been in the top form from the start of the tournament. He scored 303 runs in six innings with an average of 60.60 and a strike rate of 126.25. He is also the top batsman to have scored the most runs in the maiden T20 world Cup after leaving behind Australia’s former batter Matthew Hayden, who scored 265 in his maiden T20 World Cup in 2007.

Pakistan batter started his tournament campaign with an unbeaten 68 against arch-rivals India. After which he scored back-to-back three half-centuries against Afghanistan, Namibia and Scotland.

His consistent batting throughout the tournament has helped him reclaim the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I Men’s ranking.

He also is the second player to have scored the most runs (826) in a single calendar year after Pakistan batsman-wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (1033).

Also Read

Australia beat New Zealand by 8 wickets to win T20 World Cup title

Dubai: Mitchell Marsh hit an unbeaten 77 as Australia beat New Zealand...