Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik has a shocking take on Team India's five-wicket defeat against South Africa in their last Super 12 clash at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Perth on Sunday (October 30).
Malik claimed that India would never want Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 and that’s why they deliberately lost to South Africa, which dented the Men in Green’s hopes of making it to the final four of the tournament.
After defeating Team India in Perth, South Africa reached the top of the points table with 5 points in Group 2, while the Men in Blue are in the second spot, followed by Bangladesh in the third spot with 4 points. While Zimbabwe is in the fourth spot with 3 points, Pakistan is fifth in the Group 2 standings with points.
South Africa’s win over India means it partially ended Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semifinals, and Malik said that Team India intentionally lost to the Proteas side to affect the Men in Green’s chances, as there are high chances of the two teams (SA and IND) qualifying for the semi-finals.
Mailk told 24 News HD: “India kabhi nahi chahega Pakistan aage jaaye (India will never want Pakistan to progress)”.
Meanwhile, co-panelist Wahab Riaz intervened to say, “That’s your opinion”, and Malik agreed with a chuckle.
The former captain also lashed out at India for their poor fielding against South Africa, as Aiden Markram survived twice and ended up scoring a fifty against the Men in Blue.
Malik further stated: “Agar aaj Indian fielding thodi si behtar karta to match jeet jaate (If India would have fielded better they might have won the match). Mera khayal hai sabse disappointing ye tha ki aaj India ne bahut gandi fielding kari. Ye catch chutne waale nahi hai (India were real poor in the field those chances they missed were really easy).”
He signed off by saying, “Hamesha India-Pakistan ka rivalry rahi hai. Magar jo unjone fielding ki hai no doubt unhone shuruwaat mey kaafi try kar rahe they, josh dikha rahe they, magar jo fielding ki hai usmey mujhe thoda sa hai ki wo kabhi bhi Pakistan ko like nahi karte (There is always been a rivalry between India and Pakistan. They were showing passion and intent initially but the fielding was below par and I have my doubt tha India don’t like Pakistan.”
