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Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis questioned the Indian cricket team's 'sportsmanship' after the two-time champions' first defeat of the ongoing World Cup to England left Pakistan's chances of making the semifinals hanging in balance.
Pakistan were banking on neighbours and arch-rivals India, who have enjoyed an unbeaten run in the tournament, to get the better of England. The favourable result would have increased the chances of Sarfaraz Ahmed's men to make the semifinals.
However, chasing 337 on Sunday, India could manage 306/5 in their full quota of 50 overs for their maiden defeat of the tournament to England.
Taking to Twitter, the commentator and former coach of Pakistan cricket team said: "It's not who you are.. What you do in life defines who you are.. Me not bothered if Pakistan gets to the semis or not but one thing is for sure.. Sportsmanship of few Champions got tested and they failed badly."
"India had five wickets in hands, so I thought they will take chances but they did not. I think India played very slow there. Anyways, it was our desire as Pakistanis and we were supporting India for the first time since partition, but India were unable to win and whosoever had performed from the Indian side, he would have become our hero as well," Akhtar said in a Youtube video.
Akhtar also opined that India's middle order is a concern for the team.
"Now India will have to think about their middle order as they are getting exposed again and again. They are unable to score there and it will be a worrying point for India in the coming days," he said.
Earlier, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali and Sikander Bakht had alleged that India might lose to England on purpose to oust Pakistan from the tournament.
England have 10 points, one more than Pakistan, and are back in the top four.
They next play New Zealand in their last group game on Wednesday while the 1992 winners take on Bangladesh in their final group stage match.