In a very interesting turn of events, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has ditched Babar Azam and picked India’s Virat Kohli as the batsman with the best cover drive in the whole world.
In one of the many reels from the ICC focusing on Virat Kohli, many players from all 10 teams were asked about which batsman has the best and most beautiful cover drive in the world. Every player, including Shaheen Afridi, picked Kohli to be the “Master of the cover drive”.
The ICC uploaded a social media video on Friday, just a day before the much-anticipated IND vs PAK match in Ahmedabad.
The ICC invited a number of players – Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Shaheen Afridi, Sam Curran, Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Suryakumar Yadav, Siraj, Kuldeep, Conway, Glenn Phillips, Moeen Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rahmanullah Gurbaz – everyone picked Virat Kohli as the best player of the cover drive shot.
Kohli is certainly as superb player of the cover drive, many fans and former cricketers have in the past expressed their opinion that Pakistan captain Babar Azam, too, plays the cover drive beautifully with his immaculate balance and poise.
Pakistani fans hounded and trolled Shaheen Afridi for going with Kohli over Babar Azam. This further added fuel to the already rumored rift between Shaheen and Babar.
Reactions of fans on Shaheen Afridi picking Virat Kohli over Babar Azam:
One fan tweeted: “Shaheen kabhi dhoka nhi dega Le Shaheen”
Another fan tweeted: “Another dressing room fight on the cards”
One Pakistani fan said it is “Insecurity from Shaheen”
Meanwhile, there were reports which suggested Shaheen Afridi is battling a finger injury. Today, cricketpakistan.com.pk has reported that the left-arm fast bowler is cleared of any injury and will take part in the IND vs PAK clash on Saturday in Ahmedabad.
Both India and Pakistan have won their first two matches of the World Cup 2023. However, the manner of victories have been contrasting. While Pakistan have had to fight hard against Netherlands and Sri Lanka, India have been largely convincing against Australia and Afghanistan, barring a breif period of play against Australia when they lost three early wickets.
