India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup: Virat Kohli was not looking confident even after getting set, says Inzamam-ul-Haq
India Today
On his return to action, Virat Kohli scored 35 runs off 34 balls in his 100th T20I match. He got an early relief when Fakhar Zaman dropped him at third slip for a duck off the bowling of Naseem Shah in the first over.
Former Pakistan cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq criticised modern-day India batting great Virat Kohli for his approach in the blockbuster Asia Cup match.
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in Dubai on Sunday 28 after Hardik Pandya displayed his all-round brilliance. The victory came after nearly a year when Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets in a group match of the T20 World Cup 2021.
In the 2022 continental match, Kohli scored 35 runs off 34 balls after getting relief when Fakhar Zaman dropped him at third slip for a duck off the bowling of debutant Naseem Shah in the first over of the 148-run chase.
"There was a lot of pressure on Kohli yesterday. Usually, it is difficult to dismiss a set batter, but I was surprised to see yesterday that Kohli was not looking confident even after getting set," Inzamam said on his YouTube channel.
Inzamam also questioned the Indian management's decision to drop the first-choice wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant from the playing XI. The Rohit Sharma-led side picked Dinesh Karthik, who has become the new finisher of the team since the IPL 2022, over Pant in the line-up.
"India’s middle order and lower middle order is very strong. That is what sets them apart from the other teams in this Asia Cup. I was surprised that India chose to bench Rishabh Pant. The combination of Pant, Pandya and Jadeja is very dangerous. It was difficult to chase down 11 runs an over on this pitch, but they played really well," the former Pakistan captain said.
Inzamam also urged the Pakistan selection committee to find specialist batters for number four and five positions.
