New Delhi [India]Nov 13 (ANI): Following Pakistan’s five-wicket loss to England in the final of the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami took a dig at Pakistan pace legend Shoaib Akhtar, terming the defeat as “karma”.
Top innings from openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler propelled England to a 10-wicket win over India in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in Adelaide on Thursday.
Akhtar had posted a heartbreaking emoji on Twitter after the loss.
Shami replied to the post saying, “Sorry brother it’s called karma.”
Notably, Akhtar slammed India after their semi-final exit in the showpiece event. In a video posted on his official YouTube channel, the former Pakistan captain had said that the Men in Blue did not have “express pace bowlers”, “cut-for-roll spinners” and entered the tournament with “confused team selection”. had come
“India doesn’t deserve to meet us at the MCG. Because his cricket has been exposed. What’s the big deal in reaching the semi-finals? There are four quality teams. Beating Netherlands and Zimbabwe to reach the semi-finals is no big deal. I think Indian cricket is at its lowest right now because when it comes to ICC events, India will need to look at their captaincy, management will need to take the blame,” he said in the video.
He also questioned the inclusion of Shami in the team and said, ‘All of a sudden they included Shami in the team. He is a good fast bowler but didn’t deserve to be in the team. I can’t tell right now what is the playing XI for India. India should have shown aggression, they conceded defeat after the fifth or sixth over. I don’t think India has the depth in spin bowling. Chahal could play. He was not included in the playing XI. If Adil Rashid could play, why not Chahal?
Ahead of the final encounter, Akhtar had taken a dig at the Indian bowlers, saying, “The difference is England are in a wider position, their confidence must be skyrocketing. England know Pakistan bowlers are not like India. Will have to work hard for them, they will not get a walkover.
England avenged their loss to Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup final by winning their second T20 World Cup title at the same venue where they had lost to the Men in Green 30 years earlier.
Pakistan fans were watching their team repeat the valor of their 1992 team led by their hero Imran Khan, but this time it did not happen.
Elected to bat first by England, Pakistan ended their innings on 137/8. Shan Masood (38) and captain Babar Azam (32) made major contributions to the total.
Sam Curran (3/12) was one of the bowlers for England in the final and was named ‘Player of the Match’. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid (2/22) and pacer Chris Jordan (2/27) also dealt a blow to Pakistan while Ben Stokes, who scored an unbeaten half-century and hit the winning run, also got a wicket.
Chasing 138, England were reduced to 45/3 in 5.3 overs before a 48-run partnership between Ben Stokes (52* off 49 balls with five fours and a six) and Moeen Ali (19 off 13 balls) But it was limited. ,
Haris Rauf (2/23) was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Wasim Junior and Shadab Khan also taking wickets.
Brief Scores: Pakistan: 137/8 (Shan Masood 38, Babar Azam 32; Sam Curran 3-12) vs England: 138/5 (Ben Stokes 52*, Jos Buttler 26, Haris Rauf 2/23). (ANI)
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