How India can dissolve the Shaheen Shah Afridi threat in Indo-Pak clashes?

In a match that featured some of the biggest superstars in world cricket, there was only one name that reigned supreme – Afridi. The pace spearhead of the Green Army bagged not one but two prized scalps in the rain-marred contest between the traditional rivals at the Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday.

Introduction

Pacer Afridi first bamboozled Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. He then outsmarted Virat Kohli, who had just brought out his signature cover drive to highlight his form in the previous over. The premier pacer of the two-time Asia Cup winners had silenced the Indian supporters at a packed Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.

‘Bowling changes didn’t make any sense’

Though Afridi owned the Indian top-order with his bowling masterclass, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is still not convinced that Babar Azam’s Pakistan side played their cards right against rivals India at the continental tournament. Talking about the blockbuster India-Pakistan showdown, batting legend Gavaskar opined that the bowling changes of Babar didn’t make any sense to him.

‘India will be saying a big thank you because…’

Suggesting Babar clearly missed a trick in India’s Asia Cup opener, Gavaskar observed that Rohit and Co. managed to stage a fightback after a top-order collapse. Middle-order stars Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan smashed half-centuries to help India register a fighting total. Pandya and Kishan’s fifth-wicket stand was worth 138 runs off 141 balls.

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