Cricket

Asia Cup 2023: Shaheen Shah Afridi staying rent free in our minds, says Aakash Chopra

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra picked Shaheen Shah Afridi as his Player of the Match after rain played killjoy in the Asia Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at Pallekele on Saturday. The lanky paceman continued his love affair of performing well against India, returning with impressive figures of 4-35 in his quota of 10 overs.

The 23-year-old accounted for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the first rain break. Afridi was able to set up the Indian skipper as he got the ball to move back after getting a few deliveries to angle across the right-hander. Subsequently, Virat Kohli played on against Afridi, and India was soon reduced to 66-4 after Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer were dismissed cheaply.

Towards the end of the innings, Afridi bamboozled a well-settled Hardik Pandya, who scored 87, with a slower ball and then also had Ravindra Jadeja caught behind to wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan in the same over.

“We need to first talk about the Player of the Match even if it did not end up as a proper game. There are a lot of contenders. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya played 80-odd run knocks, which took India to a position from where they could have fought. But my Player of the Match is Shaheen Shah Afridi,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

The renowned commentator continued to shower praise on Afridi for his ability to swing the ball both ways and bowling in the right areas to reap his rewards.

​​”He opens you up at the start. The guy has class and swings the ball at a good pace. At the moment, it seems like he is staying rent-free in our minds because when he starts his run-up, I don’t know what the batters think, but we feel that he will hit the pads or dismiss the batter,” Chopra concluded.

Afridi was right on the money and once again delivered for Pakistan but the match was called off due to rain. India will next face Nepal at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Monday.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

“Never expected a very easy run” – Gautam Gambhir reflects on his tenure as coach after IND vs NZ 2024 Test series defeat

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that he never expected a very easy run… Read More

October 31, 2024

Probably has a lot to do with playing on flat wickets in T20 – Gautam Gambhir on decline of good defensive technique in Test cricket

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir feels T20 cricket has led to the downfall of a… Read More

October 31, 2024

India needs Mumbai Test win before Australia tour – Gautam Gambhir

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir feels the Rohit Sharma-led team desperately needs to win the… Read More

October 31, 2024

I cannot say just the batters have let us down – Gautam Gambhir feels everyone should take responsibility for series loss against New Zealand

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to blame the batters after the team’s 2-0 series… Read More

October 31, 2024

It was insane – Bronny James after scoring his first NBA bucket

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James was on cloud nine after he managed to score… Read More

October 31, 2024

I’m happy with my team’s performance: Mohun Bagan SG head coach Jose Molina after win against Hyderabad FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina was delighted with the team’s performance after… Read More

October 31, 2024