Shaheen Shah Afridi reckoned that Hardik Pandya’s wicket was a crucial one in the context of Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2023 match against India on Saturday, September 2 at the Pallekele International Stadium.

After India were reduced to 66 for the loss of four wickets in 14.1 overs, Hardik came to the middle and steadied the ship for India. He scored 87 runs off 90 balls with seven fours and a six before Shaheen accounted for his wicket with a brilliant slower delivery.

“After the big partnership, Hardik Pandya’s wicket was very crucial at that time. Had the match happened, the result was in our hands, but we can’t do anything about the weather. Overall, our performance was good,” Shaheen was quoted as saying in a video uploaded on Pakistan’s cricket Twitter handle.

Shaheen picked up four wickets, but his efforts went in vain as the match had to be called off due to heavy rain. The pacer also got the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to put pressure on the Indian middle-order.

“I tried my best to give the team breakthroughs with the new ball and I managed to get two main wickets,” he stated.

VIRAT KOHLI IS A GREAT PLAYER

Shaheen also talked about the importance of picking up Kohli’s wicket. The pacer said that having scored a lot of runs against Pakistan, Kohli would have been dangerous while facing the old ball.

“Virat Kohli is a great player given the runs he has scored. He has scored a lot of runs against Pakistan. It was a crucial wicket for us. We weren’t getting help with the old ball and had Kohli been set, then he would have made it tough for us. He is the backbone of the Indian team,” Kohli added.

Pakistan, in the meantime, made their way through to the Super Four of the Asia Cup. It means that the winner of the match between India and Nepal on September 4 will be the other team from the group to go through to the next round.