Pakistan’s cricket fraternity showered praise on the Indian team for their incredible run to the World Cup final, despite their eventual loss to Australia in the title match. Legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram highlighted India’s strong foundation and promising future, stating that their cricket is “in a good place” despite the loss.
Akram acknowledged the mental toughness of the Australian team in knockout matches, drawing parallels to Pakistan’s own experience against Australia in the 1999 World Cup final. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong structure, well-planned programs, and a solid backup system for continued success.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif shared a similar sentiment, praising India’s worthiness to win the World Cup final and attributing their defeat to Australia’s mental fortitude and organized approach. He particularly commended Indian seamer Mohammad Shami’s exceptional bowling performance throughout the tournament.
Pakistan’s former captain Misbah ul Haq emphasized the significance of winning the toss and adapting to different pitches, noting that Australia’s ability to score over 300 on the final’s pitch proved crucial. He also praised Indian captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their exemplary leadership throughout the tournament.
While some former players like Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal suggested that India should focus on building a T20 side for next year’s World Cup, others like Mohsin Khan urged Pakistan to learn from India’s adaptability and progress in modern-day cricket. Khan highlighted India’s participation in two ICC finals despite losing both times to Australia, emphasizing their ability to adapt to the changing demands of the game.
Overall, the Pakistan cricket fraternity expressed admiration for India’s World Cup journey, acknowledging their progress despite the disappointing loss in the final. They encouraged India to continue building on their strengths and Pakistan to learn from their success to achieve their own cricketing aspirations.
