Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has picked India as the side to win the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma and co. clinched a 4-wicket win against Australia in the 1st semi-final on Tuesday to qualify for the finals. This means Pakistan – the host nation – will not host the final clash and it will be played in Dubai instead.
“India is a very strong team”
In a video on his YouTube channel, Akhtar lavished praise on India for showing that they were a very formidable team. He said that Rohit Sharma and co. had proved that they could catch any team off-guard by playing four spinners. The Rawanpindi Express, however, lamented that Kohli could not complete his century, adding that he should have done so and that it wasn’t everyday that one could get so close to their hundred.
“India played very well and showed that they are a very strong team. They have proved that they can beat any team by playing four spinners. The good thing was that Virat Kohli set up the run-chase perfectly for India. The bad thing was he could not complete his century. India is the side to win the final,” Akhtar said.
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Further, Akhtar opined that Australia could have added 20-30 runs more to their total which could have changed the result of the game. Terming the partnership between Kohli and Iyer as immense, he said that India had shown that they were the dominant side in the contest. The ex-Pakistan cricketer said that had Rohit Sharma decided to fire, then the match would have been finished in 35 overs.
“India is a side to beat but have been unbeatable so far,” Akhtar added.
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