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IND vs NEP: Rohit Sharma-led India take on Nepal in their second Asia Cup 2023 match at Sri Lanka’s Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday (September 4) as the Men in Blue hunt for their first win in this year’s tournament. India’s inaugural Asia Cup 2023 match against arch-nemesis Pakistan was called off due to incessant rains. As a result, both teams were awarded a point each. After India won the and decided to bat first, they had a bitter batting collapse and were reduced to 66 for 4 at one stage before a 138-run partnership between Hardik Pandya (87) and Ishan Kishan (82) pulled them back in the game.
India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were sent back to the pavilion for 11 and 10 runs, respectively. Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a peach of a delivery to dismiss captain Rohit and Gill was bowled out by Haris Rauf. Icon Virat Kohli, who came out to bat at crucial number there spot, got off to a great start but later fell to Shaheen for four runs off seven balls. India’s number 4 Shreyas Iyer, making his comeback after a long gap due to injury, was unlucky as he hit Rauf’s short-pitched delivery straight into the fielder’s hands for a catch.
India’s innings was then rescued by middle-order batters Ishan Kishan (82 runs off 81 balls) and Hardik Pandya (87 off 90 deliveries) as their century partnership gave Rohit and Co. some hope.
For Pakistan, Shaheen picked the maximum four wickets, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf bagged three wickets each.
After the match was called off, taking to Twitter, Irfan Pathan took a jibe towards Pakistani fans. “Bahot saare Padosiyon ke TV bach gaye aaj;) (Televisions of many neighbours has been saved today)”, wrote the former India cricketer.
Bahot saare Padosiyon ke TV bach gaye aaj;)
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 2, 2023
Reacting to Irfan’s post on X (Twitter), one fan slammed the cricketer-turned-commentator for showing ‘an incredible lack of self-respect’ as Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen, Naseem and Rauf took 10 wickets for 129 runs and bowled out the Men in Blue for 266.
“This is quite a petty and shameless remark, even if the match had ended with India in a winning position. But to say this after Shaheen, Naseem & Rauf took 10 wickets for 129 runs and restricted India to 266, one needs an incredible lack of self-respect. Shame on you, Irfan”, wrote the user.
This is quite a petty and shameless remark, even if the match had ended with India in a winning position. But to say this after Shaheen, Naseem & Rauf took 10 wickets for 129 runs and restricted India to 266, one needs an incredible lack of self-respect.
Shame on you, Irfan. https://t.co/PETjW8Z2CI
— Siddharth (@DearthOfSid) September 2, 2023
Check some other reactions…
He earned respect by bowling.
He lost it by tweeting. https://t.co/inhVQbowM4
— Irena Akbar (@irenaakbar) September 2, 2023
Seriously, what’s the need for this? That too after a match where our top order was humbled and it took a special effort from two batters to put up a half decent score. It’s not about policing celeb thoughts but expecting grace from some of them, especially in hate filled times. https://t.co/Qm7CJ3DWoe
— TheRandomCricketPhotosGuy (@RandomCricketP1) September 2, 2023
My honest reaction to irfan pathan https://t.co/gtkjKhlBcP pic.twitter.com/VK3Eo2Abwp
— Ubaid Ameen🎗️ (@coverdrive687) September 2, 2023
Maybe learn 10% of professionalism from Kohli and young PCT players https://t.co/c0T2ArRNnG pic.twitter.com/iQyDdjBfIm
— Areeba (@arieba_chaudry) September 2, 2023
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