Picture Credit: Twitter
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar was in attendance at the Dubai International Stadium on November 14 as Australia lifted their maiden T20 World Cup on Sunday. The Aussies were superb both with the bat and ball and while New Zealand tried hard, they were the second-best team on the day.
Later at the post-match presentation, Mitchell Marsh was awarded the Player of the Match in the final for his unbeaten 77 from 50 deliveries. Meanwhile, David Warner, who also scored a half-century in the titular clash, was adjudged as the Player of the Tournament.
However, the Rawalpindi Express was not too impressed with this decision. He felt that Pakistan captain Babar Azam should have been given the Player of the tournament award instead as he was the leading run-getter of the competition despite playing a game less. Azam scored 303 runs in 6 innings in the tournament in contrast to Warner's 289 runs in 7 innings.
However, Warner was part of the T20 World Cup-winning side and also scored at a greater strike rate than Babar, whose side crashed out in the semis against Australia.
"Was really looking forward to see @babarazam258 becoming Man of the Tournament. Unfair decision for sure," he tweeted.
Here is his tweet:
Akhtar also met his old friend and rival on the cricket field, the current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly. Sharing a picture with the former India captain, Akhtar wrote, "It was lovely running into an old friend and on-ground rival. And ofcourse BCCI chairman @SGanguly99. Also legendary @azharflicks in the picture. #WorldCupT20 #Dubai."
Here is their picture in which Mohammad Azharuddin could also be spotted:
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson acknowledged that while they were happy with the runs they had posted in the first innings (172/4), it was brilliantly chased down by a superb Australian side.
"Credit to the way Australia chase it, they didn't give us an inch. Wasn't to be today, but proud of how we've operated. Guys committed to what we tried to do in venues that varied a lot. There was a lot of heart shown, always nice to get to the big dance. But credit to Australia again. Some high hopes coming in, some good cricket played, so we're feeling it a bit," Williamson said at the post-match presentation.