Wasim Akram: “I told them to focus on the length they’re bowling and [the] field-set for Williamson, [I] told Shaheen to bowl fuller than he has been bowling”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Legendary Pakistan left-arm seamer has revealed that he told Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Amir to focus on their lengths and setting the right field for New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

He also advised Afridi to bowl fuller, which worked a treat at Edgbaston on Wednesday as the 19-year-old finished with figures of 3-28 off his 10 overs.

Afridi, who bowled three maiden overs, dismissed Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham.

As for Amir, he cleaned up New Zealand opener Martin Guptill on the very first ball he bowled before going on to concede 67 runs off his 10 overs.

Asked Wasim Akram what he was saying to Shaheen & Amir before play – Wasim said "I told them to focus on the length they're bowling & field-set for Williamson, told Shaheen to bowl fuller than he has been bowling. At this level small adjustments make all the difference" #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/GxMsjPATFD

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 26, 2019

“I told them to focus on the length they’re bowling and [the] field-set for Williamson, [I] told Shaheen to bowl fuller than he has been bowling. At this level, small adjustments make all the difference,” Akram was quoted as saying by Saj Sadiq on Twitter.

Pakistan ended up beating New Zealand by six wickets, which not only kept their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup semi-finals alive, but also handed the Black Cap their first loss in the tournament.

Pakistan’s next World Cup match will be against Afghanistan at Headingley on Saturday.

If they beat Afghanistan, Pakistan will then have to take down Bangladesh at Lord’s on July 5 in order to have any chance of reaching the last four.

However, even if they defeat Afghanistan and Bangladesh, it might not be enough as they will have to rely on the results of other matches.

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