"God's Way Of Telling Him...": Shoaib Akhtar Sums Up Virat Kohli's T20 World Cup Knock vs Pakistan

18.08.2023 - 11:51 sports.ndtv.com

As India and Pakistan gear up for multiple showdowns over the next few months, the chatter around the two team's last face-off in the T20 World Cup 2022 gets more and more intense.

It was Virat Kohli who single-handedly won the match for the team. His twin sixes against Haris Rauf at the fag end of the match earned him the crown of 'King' once again.

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar knows Babar Azam's men would need to get the better of Kohli if they are to beat India. But, looking beyond the ODI World Cup, Akhtar doesn't feel Kohli should play white-ball cricket anymore.

Reliving the T20 World Cup 2022 showdown between India and Pakistan in Melbourne, Akhtar said that the match gave Kohli back his 'kingdom'. "That match was all about Virat Kohli.

cricket India Cricket Team cup Virat Kohli Sachin Tendulkar Shoaib Akhtar India Pakistan

While commenting on Virat Kohli's dismissal against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023, former India pacer S Sreesanth said that he doesn't count it as a 'wicket'. Notably, Kohli became a victim of Shaheen Afridi in India's campaign opener against Pakistan at the continental event last week. It was a good length ball from Shaheen and Kohli got an inside edge on it. The ball first hit his pad and then changed its direction to fall onto the stumps. Sreesanth added that Pakistan were lucky to get the wicket of the star India batter.

Watch: Virat Kohli Gives Medal To Nepal Star After Asia Cup Clash, Then Breaks Into Laughter With Suryakumar Yadav

The Indian cricket team attained its first target at the Asia Cup 2023 on Monday - that is to qualify for the Super 4 stage. After its first game against Pakistan got washed out due to rain, India needed a solid win against Nepal to boost their confidence. Though they won by 10 wickets, India have a lot of points to ponder upon. India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first, but Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh got quick runs with help from the Indian fielders, who dropped three catches in the first five overs. Shreyas Iyer dropped a regulation catch at slip, Virat Kohli spilled a sitter at short cover and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan let the ball through his gloves.

"Rohit Sharma Unable To Read Or Understand Shaheen Afridi": Shoaib Akhtar's Huge Statement

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar feels that Rohit Sharma is unable to read or understand the bowling of star pacer Shaheen Afridi. The left-arm fast bowler cleaned up Rohit with a peach of a delivery during the India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023 match on Saturday. It was a fuller delivery from Shaheen that swung into the India batter and went through the gate to rattle his stumps at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Akhtar opined that Rohit is not at his best and he is worrying too much. The India captain fell for 11 runs off 22 balls.

India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023: "You Are Gone...": Pakistan Great's Blunt Take On Virat Kohli's Dismissal

Virat Kohli failed to score big as he was dismissed for just 4 during the Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The star India batter made a confident start to his innings with a boundary but ended up edging a delivery from Shaheen Afridi onto his stumps. It was a massive wicket for Pakistan who were also able to dismiss India skipper Rohit Sharma cheaply. Legendary Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis was on commentary when Kohli was dismissed and he came up with a pointed reaction to the star batter's early dismissal.

"Pakistan Will Be In Trouble If..": Shoaib Akhtar's Confession Ahead Of India Clash

Ahead of the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan, legendary fast bowler Shoiab Akhtar has backed the team batting first to come out on top. India and Pakistan face off in the Asia Cup on Saturday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. While India will open their campaign later today, Pakistan head into the fixture on the back of a 238-run triumph over Nepal in the tournament opener. Akhtar feels Pakistan "will literally hammer India" if they bat first, adding that the same could happen to Pakistan if India bat first.

India Versus Pakistan, Asia Cup: Task Cut Out For Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill And Virat Kohli vs Pakistan's Pace Trio

India's top-order, consisting the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, faces a stern test at the expense of Pakistan's pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf when both team face-off in a Group A match of the ongoing Asia Cup on Saturday in Kandy. In recent times, Indian openers have struggled to negate the threat possessed by left-arm pacers, including Shaheen. In the past few meetings between the two sides, the Pakistan pacers have proved to be a tough nut to crack.