Asia Cup 2022 | We don't want Virat Kohli to play a long innings against us: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan
India Today
Virat Kohli has been enduring a wretched run with the bat, managing to score only 76 runs across one Test match, two T20Is and two ODIs against England in July 2022.
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan said that his team doesn't want former India captain Virat Kohli to play a long innings in the Asia Cup fixture between India and Pakistan on Sunday, August 28.
The arch-rivals will renew their rivalry for the first time since the T20 World Cup 2021, when Pakistan defeated Kohli-led India by 10 wickets in a group match. The 33-year-old Kohli will return to action in the Asia Cup for the first time since playing against England in July 2022. If he plays in the India vs Pakistan match, it will mark his 100th T20I.
Kohli has been enduring a wretched run with the bat, managing to score only 76 runs across one Test match, two T20Is and two ODIs against England in July 2022. He batted with intent, but failed to convert his starts into big ones.
When Shadab was told that a few former cricketers believe that Kohli doesn't instil fear among bowlers, the Pakistan all-rounder, in a press conference, said: "They (the former cricketers) don't play anymore, that's why they think that he doesn't instil fear. He (Kohli) is a legend of the game, he has performed quite a lot. Whenever he comes, you are a bit scared because he is a big player. We don't want him to play a long innings against us."
Shadab went on to add that he wants Kohli to hit a century but hopes it doesn't come against his team.
"I pray that he returns to how he was. He is performing good even now, but the standards that he has set.. they make it feel as if he is out of form. I personally wish that he scores a century; not against us, but against some team else in this tournament."
