'Shaheen Dismissed Rohit & Kohli But Focus On...': Gavaskar Cautions IND

image-lmd41247Shaheen picked up the crucial wickets of Kohli and Rohit in group stage [AP Photo]

Team India is all set to tackle its Pakistani counterparts for round two this Asia Cup 2023 with a Super Four match in Colombo. The two titans also came into collision earlier in the tournament, where persistent rains enabled both sides to walk away with a point each.

As India and Pakistan embrace themselves for a potential thriller, former cricketer and all-time great Sunil Gavaskar has advised Rohit Sharma’s drawcards to be wary of Naseem Shah threat in the game.

Gavaskar cautions Rohit Sharma and co. ahead of PAK fixture

Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi rattled Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s stumps in their previous meeting against India this Asia Cup 2023. The pace maverick, along with assistance from Haris Rauf, reduced the ‘Men in Blue’ to 66-4 before Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan formed a counterattacking 138-run stand to guide their side towards a competitive total.

Even though Shaheen Afridi emerged as the pick of the Pakistan bowlers in their Group Stage bout, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes Sharma and co. need to be wary of Naseem Shah, who kept troubling the Indian batters from his end.

The batting great acknowledged the pressure Shah maintained on Shubman Gill, before the latter was removed by Rauf in the innings. While speaking on Sports Tak, Sunil Gavaskar said:

“If you looked at those 10 overs, you must have noticed the way Naseem Shah bowled. His out-swingers were brilliant, playing him was pretty difficult. Shaheen Afridi did take two wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, so focus was on him. But the way Naseem bowled, that was terrific. Shubman Gill was playing majorly against him, and he was leaving him well.”

The upcoming contest is Pakistan’s second Super Four outing and the first for the Indian team. Both teams thumped Nepal with convincing margins in their respective Group Stage games to storm into the second round of the tournament.

The match is scheduled to be played at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo amidst rain threat.