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'Not a Top-Order Batter’s Shot’ - Former Indian Batter Slams David Warner

Vaibhav Tripathi

image-looi75feDavid Warner during his knock vs AFG (AP Photos)

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Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticized Australian opener David Warner's questionable shot selection during the ongoing match between Australia and Afghanistan at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. 

In the pursuit of a 292-run target, Warner initially appeared to be finding his stride with a few boundaries. However, his fortunes changed when he faced Azmat Omarzai, who bowled a maiden over before dismissing Warner. Warner's intent to attack Azmat was evident from the first ball, but he struggled to control the delivery that approached from around the wicket. Azmat astutely exploited Warner's vulnerabilities.

The ball maintained a straight path, striking the off-stump and reducing Australia to 49 runs with three wickets down. Warner managed to score 18 runs from 29 balls, with three boundaries. In the very next ball, Josh Inglis attempted a cut shot but was caught at the first slip by Ibrahim Zadran, having contributed just 2 runs to the team's total. Azmat came close to securing a hat-trick but narrowly missed it.

While doing his broadcasting duties as a commentator, Mohammad Kaif expressed his disapproval of Warner's performance, particularly highlighting his choice of shot, which, in Kaif's view, did not befit a top-order batter.

"The kind of shot David Warner played, it never looked like he is a top-order batter,"  remarked Mohammad Kaif on Star Sports.

Naveen-ul-Haq initiated Australia's early setbacks by dismissing the dangerous Travis Head in the second over of the innings and subsequently returning to claim the wicket of Mitchell Marsh in the sixth over. As Australia attempted to regain momentum following these initial blows, Omarzai delivered his third over, further undermining their chase.

It's worth noting that Rahmat Shah had dropped a catch from David Warner off Naveen-ul-Haq's bowling. Warner was notably engaged in a spirited exchange with Afghanistan's star spinner, Rashid Khan, his former Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate. Warner's intention was evidently to unsettle the Afghan bowlers, but his choice of shot selection proved suboptimal, and the conditions favored Omarzai, who skillfully delivered a delivery that swung back in toward the stumps, resulting in Warner's dismissal.