Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has taken a dig at Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Akhtar stated that Rohit is afraid of facing fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and he also went on to say that this is not the same Rohit Sharma but his stunt double. To note, India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their first Super 4 match. The encounter is set to be played on September 10 (Sunday) in R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
This is not the same Rohit Sharma: Akhtar on Indian skipper
“Yeh Rohit Sharma woh Rohit Sharma hai hi nahi. Yeh uska stunt double hai (This is not the same Rohit Sharma. This is his a stunt double),” Akhtar said during a virtual Star Sports presser.
“Shaheen has made his way into his mind. I have never seen Rohit change his stance, but what was happening there? He changed it, was beaten and bowled. Shaheen is subconsciously in his mind. This is what pressure of IND vs PAK match does to players,” he added.
To note, Rohit managed to stroke a couple of boundaries in the India vs Pakistan group stage match. However, he was undone by the sheer brilliance of Afridi. Apart from that, the speedster also scalped the wicket of Virat Kohli in his 4-wicket haul. However, the match was abandoned due to the rain.
Both India and Pakistan will eyeing victory in their next meet on Sunday. To note, the Men in Green have already won their first Super 4 clash against Bangladesh. Bowling first, the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah were brilliant once again. They are also in top three position for the leading wicket-taker’s list in the competition. Rohit Sharma and Co. are expected to face tough challenge against a spirited Pakistani bowling line-up.