Akhtar adopted a dig at the strategy by Pakistan during the pursuit By India Today Web Work area: Shoaib Akhtar has attacked the Pakistan cricket crew after their 79 run misfortune to New Zealand in the second ODI on Wednesday. After a terrible beginning, the Kiwis assumed command over the match after Devon Conway and chief Kane

Williamson stitched together a 181-run partnership. Conway went on to score a well-deserved 101 off 92 balls while Williamson scored 85. Pakistan would come back into the contest as Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz picked three and four wickets respectively to rock the New Zealand batting order and bundle them out for 261 runs in 49.5 overs.

The hosts' run chase got off to the worst possible start as they lost Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq with just nine runs on the board. Babar Azam and Mohammad Riizwan steadied the ship for Pakistan but the scoring rate wasn't high, from both batters, with Rizwan scoring 28 runs off just 50 balls. While Agha Salman did try to play some shots, it wasn't enough on the day. Azam's 79 went in vain as the lower order crumbled and the hosts were bundled out for 182 runs as New Zealand leveled the series 1-1.

Akhtar was unamused by the batting approach taken by Pakistan and chose to take to virtual entertainment to show his dissatisfaction. The previous cricketer posted a wry message on Twitter and attacked Azam and Co. Azam remarked on the loss after the match and said that it was hard to take on spinners and the ball was coming on distinctively when contrasted with the main ODI. "We didn't begin well with the ball yet returned pleasantly. Likewise, we lost two or three wickets ahead of schedule with the bat and subsequently we were behind the game.

The plan between myself and Rizwan was to take the game deep but losing wickets puts pressure on you. The wicket had turn and bounce, it was difficult to take on the spinners and Salman did well to play his shots. The ball was coming on differently compared to the first match but credit to the New Zealand spinners as they bowled well. The pitch generally plays better in the second innings here but today was a one off," said Azam.