‘Wasim Akram thodi na hai aap’ – Virender Sehwag slams Mohammad Nawaz’s tactics of bowling medium pace in the final over
Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag questioned Pakistan spinner, M Nawaz’s tactics of trying out medium-pace deliveries instead of his usual left-arm spin in the last over of the high-voltage game on Sunday. Needing 16 runs in the final over, Babar Azam handed over the bowl to M Nawaz but he couldn’t help the team win the game.
Ashwin hit Nawaz over mid-off to seal the win for India on the final ball of the over. Commenting on the final over, Virender Sehwag said that Nawaz should have stuck to his natural left-arm spin instead of experimenting with other variations. He went on to say that he isn’t Wasim Akram and thus should have stuck with his strengths.
“Had I been there, I would have advised him to bowl normal left-arm spin because you are going to be hit for runs, but there should be no worries. Yes, 16 runs are not less but don’t be afraid to bowl. Why are you even trying to attempt something that you have never done in your entire life with the ball in hand? Wasim Akram thodi na hai aap. Toh phir kyun karna? (You aren’t Wasim Akram then why (attempt seam-up bowling)),” said Sehwag while speaking on Cricbuzz.
Earlier, Pakistan managed to post a respectable score of 159 runs at the end of the first innings, thanks to valuable contributions from Masood (52 off 42) and Iftikhar Ahmed (51 off 34). Pakistan’s pace trio also gave the team a brilliant start as they had lost four wickets for just 31 runs on the board.
However, a heartwarming knock of 82 runs in 53 balls from Virat Kohli helped the team chase down the score on the final ball of the last over of the innings. Hardik Pandya also provided him valuable support with 40 runs in 37 balls, including 1 four and 2 sixes.
India have made a winning start to their 20-20 World Cup campaign. The Men in Blue will be playing their next match against the Netherlands on Thursday in Sydney.
