Pakistan broke the jinx of not winning a single game against India in the World Cup last year as the Babar Azam-led side thrashed the arch-rivals by 10 wickets during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE.
Speedster Shaheen Afridi led the foundation of Pakistan’s thumping victory by removing India’s top batters like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli.
The left-arm pacer sent Rohit and Rahul packing in his first two overs for 3 and 0 respectively and later dismissed Kohli on 57 to restrict the Men in Blue to 151/7 in 20 overs.
Chasing the target, Pakistan got over the line in 17.5 overs on the back of Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 79 and Babar Azam’s 68 not out.
Reflecting on his performance, Shaheen said he had a fixed plan going against Kohli while he tried to pitch it up to Rohit and Rahul.
“The end I was bowling from, the leg-side boundary was smaller, say about 60-65 meter only. If I had bowled straight and fast at him [Virat Kohli], he would have flicked me or pulled me for runs. So I wanted to mix things up and bowl a slow bouncer at him, so that it would have been difficult for him to go leg-side. Luckily for me, the ball gripped and he got out. Aur mera time bhi accha thha. (laughs). I admire Virat Kohli a lot, he's one of the best around,” he told Cricbuzz.
“Rohit, Rahul and Kohli are their mainstays and three of the best batsmen in the world. Kohli unki reedh ki haddi hai (Kohli is their spinal cord). And once you get them out, it gets difficult for the middle order. And if one of them bats deep, it gets easier for the batsman coming in later. Since I was getting some swing in that match - and the team anyway wants wickets from me early on - I was trying to pitch it up to Rohit and Rahul and I was able to get both of them out,” he added.
Shaheen Afridi, who still cherishes the moment, is keen to replicate his heroics when India take on Pakistan in the 2022 edition World T20 Cup in Australia, slated to be held on October 23 at MCG.
“It was a great day for me, to be honest. A lot of people watch India-Pakistan matches, including those who don't even like cricket (laughs). When I look back on that win, I feel very proud. Yes, we couldn't win the World Cup but we did well in that game against India and I'll try to give my best even in the next World Cup,” said the lanky quick.
