Former Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has come down heavily on skipper Salman Ali Agha for choosing to bat first against Team India in their Asia Cup 2025 encounter at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The decision proved costly as Pakistan’s batting unit crumbled against India’s spin attack, managing just 127/9 in their 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored for Pakistan with 40 runs, while India comfortably chased down the target in just 15.5 overs with seven wickets to spare.
India’s spinners delivered a commanding performance, with Kuldeep Yadav taking three wickets and Axar Patel adding two more to his tally. During India’s chase, they lost three wickets, all of which were claimed by Pakistan’s spinner Saim Ayub.
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The Dubai surface has consistently supported spin throughout the tournament, and Salman’s decision to bat first left Akhtar visibly frustrated.
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"Good luck to them. Suryakumar Yadav ne poori pitch report di hai toss par. Usne kahan, 'Baad mein dew aayega. Ball bat par accha aata hai tab, humari batting lambi hai. Hum chase hi karna chahte the, hum phele bowling hi karna chahte the. Par humare Einstein ne kaha humay pehle batting karni hai.(Suryakumar Yadav gave an entire pitch report at the toss. He said, 'There will be dew later in the game. Ball comes better to the bat at that time and our batting lineup is deep. We anyways to wanted to bowl first'. But our Einstein said, 'We will bat first'.)" said Akhtar.
Akhtar also criticised Team India for refusing to take part in the customary handshake with the Pakistan cricket team after the match.
"I'm speechless. It is disheartening to see and I don't know what to say. Hats off to India. Just don't make things political. Cricket match hain isko political mat banao. Hum ne acchi statement di hai aapkee liye. Hum bohut kuchh bol sakte hai. Hoti rehte hain ladayi jhagre, ghar me bhi ho jaati hain. (Don't make a cricket match political. We have said nice things about you. We can say a lot of things about the no handshake. Fights happen, even inside your house. Forget it, move on. It is the game of cricket, shake your hands, show your grace.)" said Akhtar.
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