(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India, who won their first match of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2023 on Monday, recorded their biggest victory by a margin of 228 runs against Pakistan. This loss marked the second-largest defeat for Pakistan in ODIs in terms of runs (228).
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar advised the Babar Azam-led Pakistan team not to dwell too much on the crushing defeat and focus on the next game.
“Forget about the biggest victory, puri tarah se dhula diya (we just hammered them), just as you wash clothes in a dhobi ghat. If you are a good team, you don’t let the result of the previous match affect you. If they think too much about it, they won’t be able to concentrate on the next match. I don’t expect Pakistan to make such a mistake,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying on Sports Tak.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also expressed admiration for the comeback man KL Rahul and India’s pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
“KL Rahul not only scored a century but also kept wickets. He made a big statement amid all the talk about his fitness. He proved that he is completely fit. Jasprit Bumrah, too, looked in great rhythm. His run-up looked good, and he swung the ball both ways. Even a world-class batter like Babar Azam was unable to play him,” added Gavaskar.
Rahul, who was playing his first international match in six months, scored unbeaten 111 runs in 106 balls. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Pakistani opener Imam-ul-Haq and ended the match with the figures of 1-18 in his five overs.