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Cricket World Cup 2019: India dying to see Pakistan in semi-finals, says Shoaib Akhtar

If Pakistan manage to win all their remaining three fixtures and results of matches of other teams go in their favour, the 1992 champions can secure a spot in the last four.

Cricket World Cup 2019: India dying to see Pakistan in semi-finals, says Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistani former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. (File Photo: IANS)

Pleased with Pakistan’s convincing win over South Africa in their crucial World Cup match at Lord’s, London on Sunday, former Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar feels that they can make it to the semi-finals. Keeping the importance of India-Pakistan match in mind, Akhtar said that “all of the India is dying for Pakistan to come in the semi-finals”.

“With my experiences as much as I know Hindustan (India), all of the India is dying for Pakistan to come in the semi-finals somehow…each one of them (Indians) wants to see Hindustan-Pakistan semi-final,” said Akhtar in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Express also advised Pakistani players to play fearless cricket in the remaining games and make it to the semi-finals.

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“I recommend Pakistan to hold their ground, play pressure-free cricket, play according to the best of their abilities and display their talent,” advised the 43-year-old.

However, he was critical of Pakistan’s poor effort on the field and said they need to work upon their catching.

“Pakistan’s fielding was just not good. They dropped fairly easy catches and that needs to be rectified. Their fielding has to improve,” he said.

On Sunday, Pakistan defeated South Africa by 49 runs and hence kept alive their chances of making it to the semi-finals.

With five points from six games, Pakistan are now at the seventh spot in the points table. They face New Zealand next on Wednesday 26 June. After that, they play Afghanistan and Bangladesh on 29 June and 5 July, respectively.

If Pakistan manage to win all their remaining three fixtures and results of matches of other teams go in their favour, the 1992 champions can secure a spot in the last four.

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