‘I don’t count it as a wicket’ – S Sreesanth discredits Shaheen Afridi’s wicket of Virat Kohli in Asia Cup 2023

Former India pacer S Sreesanth has discredited Shaheen Shah Afridi’s wicket of star batter Virat Kohli in the Asia Cup 2023 match in Kandy on Sepetember 2. Notably, India and Pakistan shared points after the match was called off due to rain.

Shaheen removed Kohli for just four runs when his good length ball first hit his bat and then went straight towards the stumps. While speaking about the former India skipper’s dismissal, Sreesanth stated that it was only Pakistan’s luck that got them the wicket and he does not count it as a wicket. The 40-year-old also added that he is eagerly waiting for the next meeting between India and Pakistan in the ongoing tournament.

“It was unfortunate for India. Pakistan were lucky to get Virat Kohli’s wicket because it was an inside edge. I don’t count it as a wicket. I know him personally, which is why I know what would have been going through his mind after seeing Pakistan’s celebration. I am just waiting for the next India-Pakistan match,” Sreesanth was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

Speaking of the game, Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. The decision backfired as the top-order collapsed against the Pakistan bowling attack. When India were 66/4, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya led India’s innings with the bat, forming a record 138-run partnership for the fifth-wicket.

Kishan scored 82 off 81 while Hardik produced a 90-ball 87 before the Men in Blue were bundled out for 266 runs in 48.5 overs. Shaheen was the stand out bowler, finishing with figures of 4/35 in his 10-over bowling spell. Apart from Kohli, the speedster got the wicket of Rohit, Hardik and Ravindra Jadeja. However, the match was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions.

India and Pakistan will next face off in the Super Four clash on September 10 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.