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Despite crumbling with the bat, the Indian cricket team secured a crucial victory against Sri Lanka in Tuesday’s Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023. The 41-run victory also cemented India’s spot in the Asia Cup final.
The star-studded Indian batting lineup, which performed exceptionally well against Pakistan, got bundled up for a mere 213 and seemed constantly annoyed in front of the Sri Lankan spin bowling, especially Dunith Wellalage(5/40 and 42 not out), who emerged as the standout performer for Sri Lanka with ball and bat. Following the clash, many fans messaged former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar on social media, saying that India deliberately fixed the match and tried to lose the match.
However, Akhtar slammed the fans for their nonsense remarks on the epic encounter.
Also READ: Asia Cup 2023 – Indian skipper Rohit Sharma breaks numerous records in the clash against Sri Lanka
I don’t know what you guys are doing: Shoaib Akhtar
Akhtar criticized the fans’ remarks but praised Sri Lanka’s fighting spirit. He also complimented Wellalage, who bagged his maiden five-wicket haul and Charith Assalanka (4/19) for their stellar bowling performances against the dominating Indian batting line-up.
“I don’t know what you guys are doing. I am getting memes and messages saying ‘India have fixed the game’, that they are losing deliberately in order to eliminate Pakistan. Are you alright? They (Sri Lanka) are bowling their heart out. Wellalalge and Asalanka bowled their heart out. You saw that 20-year-old kid? He scored 43 runs and took 5 wickets. I am getting phonecalls from India and other countries, saying India were losing deliberately,” Akhtar said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The 48-year-old praised Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who took four crucial wickets in the game against Sri Lanka and turned the tide in his team’s favour. Akhtar questioned the fans why India would fix the match if the win could directly seal their spot in the finals.
“Why would they lose, tell me? They want to go through to the final. You end up making memes without any reason. It was a great fightback from India. The way Kuldeep played, it was massive. Look at Jasprit Bumrah, look at the fight while defending a small total,” Akhtar added.
