Pakistan cricket isn't headed in right direction even if they win T20 WC: Akhtar

Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar believes that Pakistan cricket isn't headed in right direction even if they manage to win the upcoming 2021 T20 World Cup in UAE.

Speaking after Pakistan’s victory over England in first T20I, Akhtar said that Pakistan needs to shift their focus to the longer formats of the game.

"If Pakistan wins the World Cup this year, then it should not surprise anyone. But even if they manage to win the World Cup, are they going in the right direction? No, they aren't. T20 is not our aim and it shouldn't be our aim as well," Akhtar said.

"So what did Pakistan do differently in T20I that they performed so well? The difference was just in the attitude. The problem with Pakistan is that they cannot play 50 overs. They have the talent but they simply can't play 50 overs. Can't rotate the strike," he added.

Akhtar added that the hosts underestimated Pakistan’s potential in the shortest format which led to their downfall in the first T20I of the three-match series.

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"When it comes to T20, England must realise that Pakistan is a great T20 team. No one is better than Pakistan, not India, not Afghanistan," he said.

"England's team is underestimating Pakistan team and perhaps they do not understand that Pakistan's T20 team is one of the best in the world," he added.

The second match of the series will be played on Sunday in Leeds.