Shaheen's exceptional display with the new ball caught the attention of former Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
An India vs Pakistan contest is not merely a cricket match. Regardless of how much cricketers from both sides attempt to downplay it, the palpable tension on the field and among fans, former players, and even politicians is undeniable. The most recent installment of this illustrious rivalry between these two cricketing powerhouses took place during the Asia Cup 2023 Group A match at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday.
Although rain ultimately spoiled the match, it couldn't overshadow the remarkable performances of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Ishan Kishan, and Hardik Pandya. Shaheen's exceptional display with the new ball even caught the attention of former Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Shaheen didn't have the perfect start. Eager to dismiss India's openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill early on, he bowled a bit too full. He occasionally strayed onto Rohit's pads, resulting in boundaries. Just when it seemed like it might be an off day for the talented left-arm pacer, rain came to his rescue in the fifth over. The brief delay of 15-20 minutes allowed Shaheen to reassess his strategy.
When play resumed, Shaheen emerged as a completely transformed bowler. Within just three balls, he made a significant impact on the match by dismissing India's captain, Rohit, with an almost unplayable delivery. In his next over, he also accounted for the wicket of Virat Kohli. Although the delivery wasn't as exceptional as the one that dismissed Rohit, the key to his success lay in the adjustment of his length.
Shaheen cleverly pulled his length back slightly, and this small alteration worked wonders for him. However, there was another change he made after the rain break. Instead of solely relying on swinging the ball, he decided to hit the pitch with more force. The ball that got Kohli out was a direct result of this adjustment. Due to the unpredictable nature of the Pallekele pitch, the ball didn't reach Kohli as swiftly as expected, causing the former Indian captain to drag it back onto his stumps. Remarkably, Shaheen finished with impressive figures of 4/35, making him the first bowler to dismiss both Rohit and Kohli in the same One Day International (ODI) match.
Shehbaz Sharif was greatly impressed by Shaheen's spell. He expressed his admiration on X (formerly known as Twitter) and took the opportunity to praise the exceptional skills of the left-arm pacer. However, in doing so, he indirectly criticized the Indian stalwarts Rohit and Kohli.
"THEY CANNOT PLAY HIM," posted the former Pakistan PM.
The post quickly went viral, eliciting a diverse response from cricket fans worldwide. The hashtag "They cannot play him" started trending.
Returning to the match, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya showcased an exceptional display of skill and determination, rescuing India from a precarious situation after the early onslaught by Shaheen and Haris Rauf. However, the game was ultimately marred by rain, resulting in India and Pakistan sharing the points in what promised to be an exhilarating finish on Saturday.
The unfortunate outcome of the match meant that Pakistan concluded their Group A campaign with 3 points, securing their place in the Super Four of the tournament. On the other hand, India, who earned a point from their previous match, are expected to defeat Nepal on Monday, ensuring their progression to the Super Four stage.
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 "Former Pakistan PM subtly criticizes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli while praising Shaheen Afridi; tweet viral")
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