In anticipation of the upcoming clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar made a bold claim about Virat Kohli’s performance against the Pakistani bowling attack. According to Agarkar, if there’s any bowling attack that Kohli would love to face, it would be Pakistan’s. Kohli’s numbers speak for themselves, particularly in multi-nation events where India and Pakistan have faced off over the past 11 years. In fact, Kohli has exhibited exceptional performances against the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, as demonstrated in his sensational show in Melbourne during last year’s T20 World Cup.
However, Agarkar’s statement was met with skepticism, as Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan fell victim to fake news surrounding this claim. It was falsely reported that Agarkar had stated Kohli would easily handle the Pakistani bowlers. The truth was that no such statement was made Agarkar during the announcement of India’s 17-member squad for the Asia Cup.
When asked about his thoughts on Agarkar’s claim, Shadab Khan acknowledged the power of words but emphasized that the true outcome would only be revealed on the match day. He stated that claims made individuals, whether it be from India or himself, hold no weight until they are tested on the field.
It should be noted that since 2019, Kohli has only faced Pakistan in T20I contests. During these matches, he has scored 158 runs in 110 balls against the Pakistani pacers, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and others. Kohli has been dismissed only once Shaheen during the 2021 T20 World Cup after scoring a fifty.
As the much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan approaches, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli to see how he performs against the Pakistani bowling attack. Only time will tell if Agarkar’s claim holds true or if Shadab Khan and his teammates can challenge Kohli’s dominance.
Sources:
1. Hindustan Times – [link]
2. X (formerly Twitter)
3. Press conference statement Ajit Agarkar
4. Interview with Shadab Khan
5. Previous matches between India and Pakistan