Shadab Khan hits back after India selector Ajit Agarkar says Virat Kohli will handle Pakistan pacers in Asia Cup 2023

Shadab Khan is the vice-captain of Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023.

The much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled for September 2 at Pallekele Stadium in Kandy. Asia Cup 2023 is just a few days away, and the build-up to the biggest Asian title has begun. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have openly fired at each other with a few statements to set the tone for the big event. The Indian chief selector responded confidently to a question asked about whether Pakistan pacers were a reason to worry for team India in the upcoming event or not. Agarkar replied in just a few words, ‘Virat Kohli will handle them’. Now, Pakistan spin all-rounder Shadab Khan has responded to Indian national chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

‘Bolne se kuch nhi hota’ Shadab Khan to Ajit Agarkar

The hero of Pakistan’s series win against Afghanistan, Shadab Khan, has given it back to Agarkar, saying what you do in the field will matter. Shadab said, “Dekhiye, ye depend karta hai on a day, main ya koi aur, ya koi unki taraf se koi aisa bol de to, bolne se kuch nhi hota hai, kuch change nhi hota. Jab match hoga, match me jo cheezein nazar aayengi, asal cheez whi hoti hain (See, it all depends on what happens that day. Me, someone else, or someone from their side, can say whatever they want. It doesn’t make any difference. When the match takes place, then only we will get to know what reality is.”

Shadab Khan played a massive role in Pakistan’s convincing series win over Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series. Shadab Khan scored 90 runs in three innings and picked up four wickets in the series. Shadab’s 48-runs knock proved crucial for the team in the second ODI while chasing the 301-runs target. Pakistan somehow managed to win the game by just one wicket. In the final ODI at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Shadab picked up three wickets in the middle overs to provide Pakistan the breakthroughs they required while defending their 268-runs total. Pakistan, with this win, also goes up to the top of the ICC ODI rankings.

India and Pakistan will play a one-day international after the 2019 World Cup. After that, they have not played any ODI games against each other. These two teams have met four times in the last two years, twice in the Asia Cup and twice in the T20 World Cup. Pakistan and India both share a 50/50 record in the shorter format. Pakistan defeated India for the first time in the T20 World Cup event in 2021 in Dubai by 10 wickets, they defeated India in the Asia Cup 2022 super-4 round. India have also got one win in the Asia Cup group round and one later in the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 at the MCG.

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