Shoaib Akhtar claimed he was "relieved" when India lost their most recent Asia Cup Super 4 encounter to Bangladesh in Colombo despite Shubman Gill's century.
On the cricket pitch, Shoaib Akhtar's bouncers are occasionally just as deadly as his remarks. The former Pakistani speedster, who frequently makes headlines for his ludicrous remarks, declared on Friday that he was "relieved" that India had lost their last Asia Cup Super 4 game against Bangladesh. At the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Bangladesh sent the Asia Cup 2023 off with a victory over India that was good for six runs.
Yes, India rested five members of their starting lineup, including Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Japrit Bumrah, but Bangladesh, who also made significant XI changes, had their finest performance of the competition to defeat the favourites. Since 2012, they have not beaten India in an Asia Cup match before this one.
After starter Shubman Gill hit 121 in response to Bangladesh's 265/8, India was bowled out for 259 on the last delivery of their innings, with Mohammad Shami being run out. Akhtar referred to India's loss in the meaningless match, which Bangladesh won, as a "embarrassing loss" considering that India had already advanced to the championship game.
"India has dropped the match. embarrassing setback. Too much criticism is unwise. Bangladesh is ready to compete. People criticised Pakistan, alleging that they had been beaten. Sri Lanka is not an ordinary squad; they are a good team. Bangladesh experiences the similar situation. International cricket is being played by all of them. Finally some comfort that India lost the game for the Pakistani supporters, including me," Akhtar wrote on his YouTube account.
Akhtar made his remarks when Pakistan was eliminated from the Asia Cup after falling to Sri Lanka in a crucial match. India had defeated Sri Lanka and Pakistan to guarantee their place in the championship game.
According to The Rawalpindi Express, Bangladesh is "not an average" squad, and this should serve as a warning to India, who will play Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday and is vying for a record-breaking ninth Asia Cup victory.
What a wake-up call before the championship for India. After a few victories, you cannot underestimate a squad. No offence meant, but Bangladesh stated that they were coming to support a claim, Akhtar continued.
"Don't share your World Cup predictions with anyone," Akhtar said.
The former right-arm bowler continued by saying that anybody may win the 2017 ODI World Cup in India since there are no obvious favourites.
"We are claiming that Pakistan and India are the World Cup favourites. These two will go to the semifinals along with Australia and England. That is not the situation. Your guesses should remain private. India, a powerful squad, was defeated by Bangladesh. Shubman Gill's century served no use either. Small teams are problematic. Anyone may win in this game. The tonne of Shubman Gill was in vain. The World Cup game is now anyone's game, he remarked."
Also Read: IND vs BAN Asia Cup 2023: Shubman Gill hits 5th ODI Century
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