The highly anticipated Asia Cup encounter between cricketing giants India and Pakistan promised thrilling action, but Mother Nature had other plans, leading to shared points for both teams. Rain interruptions couldn’t dampen the spirit of the game, and despite weather challenges, India posted a competitive total of 266 runs before the heavens opened up. Central to India’s fightback was the remarkable partnership between Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, a display of grit and determination that turned the tide.
Shaheen Afridi dismantles the Indian top order once again
The Indian innings was off to a shaky start as captain Rohit Sharma, who had shown promise before the initial rain break, was dismissed in a fiery spell by Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi. Bowling around off-stump, Shaheen managed to extract movement off the pitch, bamboozling Rohit’s defence to knock over his stumps. This marked the second time Shaheen had dismissed the Indian skipper in a similar fashion, showcasing his mastery over the battle.
Former Pakistan pace sensation Shoaib Akhtar weighed in on Rohit’s dismissal, expressing his dissatisfaction with the Indian captain’s performance in the Asia Cup clash. Akhtar believed that Rohit Sharma, a batsman of extraordinary calibre, could have done better.
Shaheen Afridi’s devastating spell had Rohit Sharma struggling, especially after the rain break, when the pitch conditions favoured the Pakistan pace attack. Shubman Gill, Rohit’s opening partner, had encountered difficulties dealing with Shaheen and Naseem Shah in tandem before the rain interruption.
Shoaib Akhtar bashes Rohit and India on his YouTube
Akhtar, sharing his insights on his official YouTube channel, commented on Rohit’s challenges against Shaheen Afridi, emphasizing that Rohit seemed unable to read or anticipate the left-armer’s deliveries effectively.
Acknowledging the high quality of the bowler, Akhtar noted, “What a spell it was by Shaheen Afridi, what a bowler he is.” He added, “But, what is Rohit Sharma supposed to do, in his defence he had last played him in 2022, and he does not get the opportunity to face him too often.”
Expressing his belief in Rohit Sharma’s batting prowess, Akhtar felt that Rohit could perform much better and appeared to be overly concerned during this encounter. The unfortunate abandonment of the match resulted in both teams earning shared points. Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, became the first team to secure a spot in the Super Fours. India, meanwhile, aims to follow suit as they face Nepal in their final Group A match. With the stakes high and World Cup aspirations in sight, India’s journey in the Asia Cup continues as they seek to join Pakistan in the next round.
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