In their second Super 4 encounter, India defeated Sri Lanka to go to the Asia Cup 2023 final; however, given the first innings’ performance, it appeared that the hosts could just barely escape with a victory. With five wickets, Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage decimated India’s top order. Many Indian fans claimed that India had “fixed the game” and was trying to lose the match on purpose when they were bowled out for 213 runs in messages sent to former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar. Akhtar, though, retaliated by denouncing the fans’ stupidity.
“I have no idea what you guys are up to. I keep receiving jokes and comments claiming that India has manipulated the game and is purposefully falling short of Pakistan. Are you okay? Sri Lanka is bowling with all of its might. Wellalalge and Asalanka gave it their all when bowling.
Have you noticed the 20-year-old youth? He took five wickets and scored 43 runs. In a video posted to his YouTube page, Akhtar ripped into supporters while praising Sri Lanka for their grit throughout the game. “I am getting phone calls from India and other countries saying India is losing deliberately,” Akhtar claimed.
Akhtar even questioned the crowd as to why India would lose when a win would guarantee their place in the championship game. The Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav received special acclaim from The Rawalpindi Express for his four wickets, which helped his team win the game.
Tell me why they would lose. They desire to advance to the final. You wind up creating memes for no discernible reason. India made a fantastic comeback. It was huge the way Kuldeep played. Look at Jasprit Bumrah and the struggle he went through to defend a meager total, Akhtar advised.
The Pakistani star went so far as to criticize Babar Azam’s squad for their ‘lack of fight’ in their most recent match against India. Even the pacers Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi had their fitness questioned by him.
“Wellalage, a young man of 20, is fighting. He is pitching and batting, giving it his all. Pakistani athletes were unable to demonstrate this fight. Our speed bowlers do not participate. When did they last play 25–30 ODIs in a row? Then, we anticipate that Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah will each bowl 10 overs without suffering an injury. I want Pakistan to take up the struggle again. This was embarrassing,” Akhtar said.
