As India bowled out Sri Lanka for just 213 runs in the Asia Cup 2023 Super-4 in Colombo on Tuesday, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said many fans sent him a message that India wanted to lose against Sri Lanka on purpose. They 'fixed the competition’. However, Akhtar hit back at the fans, calling out their stupidity. If India loses to Sri Lanka, it is unlikely that Pakistan will qualify for the Asia Cup 2023 final unless Bangladesh beat India in the final Super-4 match on Friday (September 15).
„I don’t know what you’re doing. I’m getting memes and messages saying 'India fixed the game’ saying they’re losing on purpose to get rid of Pakistan. Are you okay? They (Sri Lanka) are bowling. Wellalalke and Asalanga played their hearts out. See that 20-year-old? He scored 43 runs and took 5 wickets. I am getting phone calls from India and other countries saying that India lost on purpose,” Akhtar said. A video on his YouTube channel.
Akhtar questioned why India would deliberately lose a match when a win would help secure a place in the finals.
„Why are they losing, tell me? They want to go to the final. You are making memes for no reason. It was a big fight from India. The way Kuldeep played, it was huge. Look at Jasprit Bumrah, look. In the fight while defending a small total,” Akhtar said.
Akhtar also criticized the Pakistan cricket team’s 'no fight’ in the Super-4 match against India.
„Vellalaghe, the 20-year-old boy, is showing fight. He is batting and bowling, doing everything he can. Our players (Pakistan) have not been able to show this fight. Our fast bowlers don’t play. When was the last time they played 25-30 ODIs in a row? Then Shaheen Afridi. , we expect Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah to bowl 10 overs and stay unscathed. Fight back from Pakistan. It’s a shame,” Akhtar asserted.
With the Men in Blue already through to the finals, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play a knockout game on Thursday (September 14), an almost virtual semi-final.
„Całkowity introwertyk. Nieprzejednany specjalista od sieci. Przyjazny fanatyk bekonu. Student ekstremalnych. Miłośnik piwa. Organizator.”