T20 World Cup 2021: "If Australia don't get any wickets in the powerplay, they will give up"- Shoaib Akhtar backs Pakistan to get through the Australian challenge

Shoaib Akhtar has opined that if Australia don't manage to get any wickets in the first six overs of the match against Pakistan, they will "give up." The 46-year old also believes that Aaron Finch-led side will get demolarised if they lose the toss in the second semi-final to Pakistan.

The two teams will clash against each other in Dubai on Thursday, for a spot in the T20 World Cup 2021 finals. New Zealand has already booked their place in the finals, beating England by five wickets in the first semi-final of the tournament.

Earlier today, Shoaib Akhtar posted a video on his official YouTube channel, previewing the rip-roaring tie between Pakistan and Australia. You can watch his video below:

The former Pakistani veteran opined that the Babar Azam-led side have a fair chance of beating the Aussies. He also believes Australia will collapse if their openers don't manage to score quickly upfront. Citing that this particular match will be a game of confidence, Akhtar said:

'If Australia don't get any wickets in the powerplay, they will give up. Firstly, if Australia loses the toss, they will surely get demolarised. They (Australia) will collapse if they don't manage to score runs freely upfront. I feel that Pakistan has a fair amount of chance to win this game. This will be a game of Confidence vs Confidence. The whole nation wants this and I think Pakistan should go through this."

The former right-arm pacer also suggested that Pakistan should use spin to attack the Aussie openers David Warner and Aaron Finch. Akhtar mentioned that Babar Azam should "frustrate" Australia with spinners and keep the faster bowlers for middle and death overs.

Pakistan v Scotland - ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021

Akhtar said:

"If Pakistan want to attack this Australian side, they should bring in Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez early in the innings while bowling. Keep the majority of your fast bowling overs for middle and death overs. Frustrated them with spinners. Because they don't play spin quite well. Warner will struggle against Hafeez and Imad Wasim's armer will make it tough for Finch."

Akhtar also suggested that this Australian side is not as strong as compared to the 1990s Oz side, when a mighty batter like Adam Gilchrist used to bat at no. 7.

"Australia will try their level best to attack Pakistan. But this is not the same 90s Australian side where someone like Adam Gilchrist used to come at No.7," siad Akhtar.

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"I really think that Pakistan is a far better team than any other team in this World Cup" - Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan v Namibia - ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021

The former cricketer-turned-expert also lauded the overall strength of the Men in Green, and called them the best team in the tournament. Pakistan were highly impressive in the league phase of the competition, and were the only team to maintain a 100% win record in Super 12s.

Akhtar also mentioned that before the start of the tournament, not many people gave Pakistan a chance of doing well in the competition. Akhtar said:

"But I really think that Pakistan is a far better team than any other team in this world cup. Everyone was saying before the tournament that this team won't taste much success, but now Pakistan is one of the strongest contenders to lift the title. So, people keep on talking, Pakistan just need to focus on the match."

The crunch Pak-Aus tie will be played at the Dubai International Stadium today (November 11).

View the T20 World Cup 2021 time table here.

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