T20 World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar fears Pakistan might get knocked out in first round

With just three weeks ahead of the T20 World Cup, former pacer Shoaib Akhtar fears that Pakistan could get knocked out of the marquee event in the first round itself.

Akhtar's comment came after Pakistan lost the seven-match T20I series 4-3 against England on Sunday.

In the series-decider, Pakistan failed to chase down a 210-run target after their openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan fell cheaply, managing only 142 runs in the run-chase.

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On his YouTube channel, Akhtar lashed out at head coach Saqlain Mushtaq and said that if the openers don’t perform, the middle order collapses.

He added that this is not the way a team should go to the World Cup, stating that with the current batting line-up, Pakistan might get knocked out in the first round.

However, he is hoping Babar Azam's men can put up a good show in the tri-series in New Zealand, which will take place ahead of the big tournament Down Under.

The Men In Green will start their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23.