Shoaib Akhtar said that Virat Kohli showed the entire world his sheer class on a big stage.
The entire Pakistan was disappointed with the Men in Green’s defeat against India in their T20 World Cup 2022 opening bout and, of course, with Virat Kohli’s fireworks at the MCG, but the former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was really happy for the dashing right-hander to show the world who he is on Sunday (October 23).
While the other Indian stars miserably failed with the bat, Kohli showed courage and played probably the best innings of his career to not only help Team India beat Pakistan by 4 wickets in the Super 12 match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022, but also shut down all his critics.
The 33-year-old lit fireworks at the packed MCG on Sunday, as he hit an unbeaten 53-ball 82 with the help of six fours and four sixes to take the Men in Blue to a dreamy victory against Pakistan, and for his memorable knock, he has adjudged the Player of the Match.
Reacting to Kohli’s match-winning efforts, Akhtar said that the former Indian skipper showed the entire world his sheer class on a big stage and rated his MCG knock as the greatest innings of his lifetime.
Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel: “Jab iraade tuthte hain to yakeen bahar aata hain, aur jab yaaken pukhta ho jaata hain to character bahar aata hain and uska naam Virat Kohli hain.”
The former Pakistani cricketer added, “It may be the biggest innings of his lifetime. He was able to play because he had the belief that he could do it. He stayed down and out for three years, he didn't score runs, he was stripped of the captaincy, he had to face a lot of flak, people even targeted his family.”
Shoaib signed off by saying, “But he kept training, he kept working hard. Even before Diwali, Kohli lit fireworks as he decided that the stage was perfect for him to make a comeback, for his name. The king is back and he is back with a bang and I am really happy for him.”