Shaheen Afridi reacts after dismissing Virat Kohli©AFP
Shaheen Afridi was the choice of Pakistan bowlers during the 2023 Asia Cup group stage match against India with four wickets including those of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He had brilliant form against the top-order batters, with his swing bowling causing major problems for Gill, Kohli and Rohit. When the two teams face each other in the Super 4 stage on Sunday, the onus will once again be on Shaheen to get Pakistan and former India cricketer off to a good start
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar had a warning for Rohit and Co. In an interaction with Star Sports, Manjrekar analyzed Shaheen’s performance against India.
“The opening phase had two spells; in the first period before the rain had come, he bowled typical Shaheen Afridi style deliveries. He bowled further up the pitch and tried to swing the ball in, and that length was played very well by Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma,” he said.
“And after the rain, someone must have spoken to Shaheen Afridi, and after the break he brought his length back and in that length, the good length, Rohit Sharma stepped out, and so did Virat. So it wasn’t the typical Shaheen Afridi was a kind of delivery that bothered the Indian batters, but the shorter length, which meant the movement off the pitch took them out,” Manjrekar added during the interaction.
A clash between India and Pakistan remains one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in the world of cricket as the two South Asian neighbors only play each other in multi-nation tournaments due to political tensions.
(With AFP inputs)
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