Former India offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin blamed Pakistan’s decision to field first behind their crusting defeat against India in a T20 World Cup match on Sunday. He thinks Pakistan handed the advantage to India on a surface where run-chase has been tough in the tournament.
“Where did they win to lose the plot? Pakistan lost the game when they opted to bowl first after winning the toss because we saw the match between Australia and Zimbabwe. Australia struggled to get 170. When we see IPL matches, teams win easily if they need 100 runs off the last 10 overs. But it’s not happening in this World Cup,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat.
Ashwin, who has taken 537 wickets in Test cricket, said Pakistan is not at par with India when it comes to dealing with pressure. “In Premadasa Stadium, you can’t chase 100 in 10 overs. The way Pakistan deals with pressure, India are 100 times better in that aspect. I don’t think Pakistan are there.”
Ashwin also criticised the way Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha handled his bowlers in the powerplay, particularly Shaheen Shah Afridi.
“We noted in the preview how dangerous Ishan Kishan is against left-arm seam. I feel cricketers need to be explained, ‘This is your match-up’. Data tells the truth. When you say Ishan is taking on left-arm seam, he is taking it on. I’m not saying don’t bowl left-arm seam to him, but they must do something different. If Shaheen was getting hit, I would’ve loved to see him come round the wicket to the left-hander. He didn’t do it, and the second over should have been Saim Ayub,” Ashwin explained.
