- Dec 2, 2024
- Feb 3, 2023
Ramiz Raja dropped a stunning revelation on how he plotted to get Rohit Sharma out with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam before the 20-20 World Cup game against India in 2021. The 20-20 World Cup was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the India-Pakistan game was held in Dubai.
“Babar Azam was here with the Chief Selector before leaving for the World Cup, and I asked him what are your plans against India,” Raja said on a BBC podcast. “I can tell you how to get rid of Rohit Sharma right now and Babar was intrigued.”
“I said get Shaheen Afridi bowling at 100mph, get a man at short leg. Just bowl that inswinging yorker at 100mph and do not give him a single and keep him on strike. You will get him out,” recalled Raja. The plan worked like magic and Rohit was caught in front of the middle stump and was out for a golden duck.
Pakistan broke the jinx and ended their winless streak against India to defeat them in a World Cup match. Afridi breathed fire at the Indian top order as he dismissed KL Rahul and Virat Kohli as well. Hasan Ali picked the big wickets of Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.
Shadab Khan and Harris Rauf picked up the wickets of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya. India lost seven wickets in their 20 overs and just put on 151 runs. Other than Kohli who scored 57 off 49 balls with five fours and one six and Rishabh Pant who scored 39 off 30 balls with two fours and two maximums.
In the second innings, with only 151 runs to chase down. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan made short work of the target as Babar scored 68 off 52 balls with six fours and two sixes and Rizwan 79 off 55 balls with six fours and three maximums. On October 23rd the arch-rivals will square off against each other in Melbourne in the 20-20 World Cup 2022.