Pakistan vs Australia: Don't let Australia rise, Shoaib Akhtar tells national squad

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has bucked up the Men in Green as they just finished the first inning of the T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia.

The star cricketer commended the Pakistani batters for a "great job" while striking shots and handed over responsibility of leading Pakistan to the victory "to the bowlers".

Akhtar tells the squad to "not to let [Australia] rise".

"Come on my fighters. Great job. Now on to the bowlers. Uthnay nahi dena," he wrote.

Earlier, the fast bowler, in a video message shared ahead of the match, had said that winning the [T20] World Cup will work better to raise the morale of our nation rather than improving our cricket because a World Cup win will inject real enthusiasm into the nation.

All eyes are on Dubai today as Pakistan clash with Australia in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup. The winner of today's match will march on to the final to meet the Black Caps, who defeated England in a thriller Wednesday night. 

Pakistan handed Australia a 177-run target in their Thursday clash when Pakistani left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman gave the team a fighting chance in the match.

The Pakistani batsman scored 55 runs off 32 balls and a couple of sixes in the final over to ensure Pakistan crossed the 170-run mark to hand Australia a target of 177 runs.