Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar opined that the Indian cricket team should be looking to learn from their defeats in the Asia Cup 2022 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team had kickstarted their campaign in the Asia Cup 2022 with flying colors by winning back-to-back two Group A games. The Indian side defeated Pakistan and Hong Kong and entered the Super-4 stage with their heads high, however, the Indian side lost both their matches in the Super Four. The Men in Blue faced two close defeats, first at the hands of Pakistan and then Sri Lanka.
With these back-to-back defeats, now India’s chances of qualification for the final summit clash are almost impossible. With a lot of combinations and permutations needing to go their way, Shoaib Akhtar said that the Indian side doesn’t have much of a chance to advance to the final. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shoaib Akhtar pointed out:
“India haven’t played all that badly, but they haven’t done well and fans are within their rights to get frustrated. However, I feel that there is a rise after every fall and it might help India in the World Cup,”
He added: “India shouldn’t be disheartened, but they need to learn quickly. They need to find their best combination and Rohit Sharma needs to sharpen his captaincy and stay patient,”
Further, Akhtar went on to predict Sri Lanka and Pakistan as the two finalists of the Asia Cup 2022. He said: “If Pakistan lose both their next two matches, then India can qualify, but I don’t think India have a chance. As per me, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play in the final,”
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team is scheduled to play their last and final Super Four match against Afghanistan on September 9 in Dubai.
