Despite a poor batting performance against left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, India beat Sri Lanka by 41 runs to qualify for the finals of the Asia Cup 2023. However, some Pakistani fans accused the Indian Cricket Team of match-fixing. They alleged that the Indian team tried to lose the game so Pakistan would be knocked out of the tournament.
Reacting to these baseless allegations and memes, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed Pakistani fans. Akhtar said that it’s baseless to allege India, as they also wanted to qualify for the finals. In his YouTube video, Akhtar said, “I don’t know what you guys are doing. I am getting memes and messages saying ‘India has fixed the game and that they are losing deliberately in order to eliminate Pakistan. Are you alright?”
“They (Sri Lanka) are bowling their hearts out. Wellalalge and Asalanka bowled their hearts out. Did you see that 20-year-old kid? He scored 43 runs and took five wickets. I am getting phone calls from India and other countries saying India is losing deliberately. Why would they lose, tell me. They want to go through to the final. You end up making memes without any reason. It was a great fightback from India. The way Kuldeep played, it was massive. Look at Jasprit Bumrah; look at the fight while defending a small total,” Akhtar further added.
Can Pakistan make it to the finals of the Asia Cup in 2023?
As India is the only team to win all of their Super Four games in the ongoing tournament, they have qualified for the finals. Meanwhile, after losing its first two games, Bangladesh was eliminated from the tournament. However, they will have to play their final Super 4 game against India on Thursday. Ahead of that game, the Asia Cup will get its second finalist on Wednesday itself.
When hosts Pakistan take on defending champions Sri Lanka, both teams will need a win to qualify for the finals. If Pakistan makes it to the finals, this will be the first India vs. Pakistan final in Asia Cup history. However, with five changes in their playing XI, it will be very difficult for Babar Azam and company to face a formidable Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
