Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan has hit back at BCCI Chief selector Ajit Agarkar for his remark on Pakistan’s pacers. Notably, Agarkar was asked about handling Pakistan’s pace attack during Asia Cup 2023 squad announcement. The former Indian cricketer then jokingly responded saying “Virat Kohli will handle them”. However, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan hit back at Ajit Agarkar ahead of IND vs PAK match, saying that it’s only what one does on the field that matters and not what is being said before the match.
“Dekhiye, ye depend karta hai on a day. Main ya koi aur, ya unki taraf se koi aisa bol de, to bolne se kuch nahi hota, kuch change nahi hota. Jab match hoga, match mein jo cheezein nazar ayengi, asal cheez wahi hoti hai (See, it all depends on what happens on a day. Me or someone else, or someone from their side, can say whatever they want. It doesn’t make any difference. When the match takes place, then only we’ll get to know what is the reality),” Shadab said, responding to a reporter’s question.
Notably, Virat Kohli holds a stunning record against Pakistan in big tournaments and has played several match winning knocks.
The 34-year-old single handedly dragged India over the line against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup league-stage match.
Meanwhile, Shadab Khan is also carrying a good form with both bat an ball. The all-rounder played an important role in Pakistan team’s series win over Afghanistan. The Men in Green secured a 3-0 series sweep over Afghanistan and moved to top in the ICC ODI Rankings. Pakistan’s next assignment is Asia Cup 2023, starting on August 30.
The hosts will face Nepal in the opening match. However, their biggest game will be against arch-rival India on September 2.
Pakistan’s Squad for Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (travelling reserve).
Team India’s Squad for Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (travelling reserve).
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