Shahid Afridi Asserts Virat Kohli’s Future Is “In His Own Hands”

Aug 22, 2022 at 5:25 PM

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Shahid Afridi Asserts Virat Kohli’s Future Is “In His Own Hands”

Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain spoke about Virat Kohli during a Twitter questions-and-answers session on Sunday night. Virat Kohli scored only two half-centuries in the IPL 2022 and failed to go past the 20-run mark across all formats during the tour of England in July. He was rested for the West Indies tour that included three ODIs and five T20Is and will make a return to the side in the Asia Cup.

Asia Cup 2022 is set to kick off this weekend and the fans are eagerly waiting for the extravagant face-off on Sunday in Dubai in which arch-rivals India and Pakistan will lock horns. Both teams will play against each other for the first time since last year’s T20 World Cup clash that was held at the same venue.

All eyes will be on Virat Kohli as he will return to action after more than a month-long break. The former Indian skipper last featured in the England tour after which he has been away from the field. According to several media reports, Virat Kohli had requested the selectors not to consider him for the West Indies tour.

Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi (Credits: Twitter)

Virat Kohli Returns In Asia Cup 2022 After Being Rested For Windies Tour

Several other seniors were also rested for the ODIs in the Caribbean, but they were back for the 5-match T20Is. However, Virat Kohli was one of the absentees in the series along with premium pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

Virat Kohli | Photo Credit: AP
Virat Kohli | Photo Credit: AP

The ace Indian batter, who has been under the scanner for the slump in his form, will look to start afresh against Pakistan on Sunday. The last time when India played Pakistan in Dubai, he top-scored with a 49-ball 57.

But unfortunately, his efforts went in vain as Babar Azam-led Pakistan defeated the Men in Blue by a huge margin of 10 wickets. Moreover, it was India’s first ever defeat to Pakistan in a cricket World Cup game.

It was the same game where now injured Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets for 31 runs by removing the top three of the Indian batting order — Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli — to play a major role in Pakistan’s 10-wicket win over their arch-rivals.

Shahid Afridi Tweets Virat Kohli’s Comeback Is In His Own Hands

But the stage is set again and ahead of the much-anticipated face-off, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has made a big remark on Virat Kohli’s comeback. During a question-answer session on Twitter, the former all-rounder was asked about Virat Kohli’s future in the game.

In reply, Shahid Afridi said, “It’s in his own hands.”

In another tweet, a fan pointed out the fact that Virat Kohli hasn’t scored a century for more than 1000 days now. Shahid Afridi replied that only tough times can unearth the big players. It’s pretty clear that the excitement levels of cricket fans across both nations are already high as they eagerly wait for the summit clash.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Jasprit Bumrah(Getty Images)
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Jasprit Bumrah(Getty Images)

Meanwhile, both teams suffered major setbacks before the tournament. While India will miss their premier pacer in Jasprit Bumrah due to an injury, Pakistan will also participate without their ace speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The PCB has confirmed that the left-arm quick has suffered a knee injury in the last Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will undergo rehabilitation so as to regain fitness prior to the upcoming 2022 T20I World Cup in Australia.

The Pakistan pacer will also stay out of action during the home series against England as well, which will start from September 20 onwards, but will return to action during the New Zealand Tri-Series in October, which will be followed by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Australia 2022.

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