Fans criticize team management for dropping Mohammed Shami during the Asia Cup match against Pakistan. During India vs. Pakistan Match 3 of the Asia Cup 2023, Mohammed Shami was bench in favor of Shardul Thakur.
The much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2023 began on Saturday, September 02, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. The toss won by Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who chose to bat first. The Men in Blue went into the game with four seam options but left out standout seamer Mohammed Shami.
In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, the 32-year-old had led India’s speed attack from 2022 forward. Shami has 14 wickets since 2022 and has been outstanding with the new ball. However, the team management replaced him with seam all-rounder Shardul Thakur to provide a another batting option down the order.
Thakur has been a consistent match-winner for India in all three forms in recent years. He finished the recent three-match ODI series against West Indies as the leading wicket-taker, with eight wickets from three games at an average of 11.62 and an economy of 5.31.
In 2023, the 31-year-old has 14 wickets from eight games at an average of 16.42 and an economy of 5.92. Apart from Thakur, the seam attack was made up of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. Hardik Pandya, with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja filling in two positions for spin.
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Rain stops play after four overs
The batting order was Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer, with Ishan Kishan as the wicketkeeper. Openers Sharma and Gill got their team off to a solid start, weathering the storm of some outstanding swing bowling from Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi. Shah, in particular, was on fire, conceding only three runs in two overs.
The pair added 15 runs in 4.2 overs when the game was called off due to weather. Sharma remained undefeated on 11* (18), while Gill had yet to score after facing eight deliveries.
Meanwhile, X was buzzing with reactions to Mohammed Shami’s omission from India’s playing XI against Pakistan.