As Naseem Shah powered two successive sixes and ensured a thrilling one-wicket victory for Pakistan against Afghanistan on September 7 (Wednesday), the 19-year-old's heroics with the bat also crushed Team India's hopes of making the Asia Cup 2022 final. Five-time champions Sri Lanka and two-time winners Pakistan will square off in what promises to be a mouthwatering final on September 11 (Sunday).
Team India was one of the favorites to win the tournament but the Men in Blue's consecutive defeats in the Super Fours stage didn't just end their title dreams but also underlined that there are still a lot of areas that need improvement.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar pointed a finger at India captain Rohit Sharma and said that the Hitman looked 'uncomfortable' on the field while the 'Rawalpindi Express' also stated that the Men in Blue have been served an early wake-up call ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022.
"You don't have to change the captain again. Rohit Sharma is looking uncomfortable, he is shouting and screaming. There is uncertainty in the Indian camp. In hindsight, this is a good wake-up call for India. Now, India knows what their final XI should be, especially with the T20 World Cup coming up," Akhtar said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.
After winning both their Group A matches, India first suffered a five-wicket defeat against Pakistan and then a six-wicket loss against Sri Lanka in the Super Fours stage. In what will be a dead rubber now, Rohit Sharma's men will square off against Afghanistan on September 8 (Thursday).
