"Arshdeep Singh paaji, umeed nahi si..." - Kamran Akmal slams India star for poor shot selection in 1st IND vs SL ODI

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal talked about Arshdeep Singh's blunder with the bat during the first ODI against Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. He said that the pacer should've blocked the ball, and he didn't expect him to make a mess of it.

India National Cricket Team fast bowler Arshdeep Singh became the villain after the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka. The match between the teams, which took place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, ended in a tie as India had a poor outing with the bat.

India were set a target of 231 runs to chase, and they were off to a brilliant start with the bat, adding 75 runs for the opening partnership. However, after that, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and came under pressure as Sri Lanka spinners spun the web around the batters and put their team on top.

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Shivam Dube played a decent hand and hit the spinners to take the team close to the target. But with 1 run remaining, he got out and Arshdeep Singh walked out to bat with 14 balls to spare. It was expected that the India pacer would try the single and help his team win the game, but this wasn't the case.

Arshdeep Singh, instead of taking the single, went for a slog and got lbw as the match ended in a tie. The Indian dressing room looked dejected as they didn't expect to lose the game from the winning situation.

Kamran Akmal while talking about the same, stated that Arshdeep Singh should've defended the ball, and Mohammed Siraj, who was batting well at the other end, would've won the game for the team. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:

"You see, the work Arshdeep Singh has done, 13-14 balls. If there is one ball to win the match, then you take a chance. 13-14 balls, Kuldeep is playing in front of you. Like Siraj was just stopping. He was playing with the bat. You just had to stop the ball. There were so many balls, Siraj would have done it. Or you, too, on the other end, Wellalage, would not have come forward. Or the fast bowler would have come.

"The runs would have come automatically. If you are facing an off-spinner and if you keep your leg down and hit, then you will be out only. Aur ye kaam, Arshdeep Singh paaji, umeed nahi si tussi aise kroge. (And this work, Arshdeep Singh brother, I did not expect you would do it.) But anyway, no problem. The match should not have come this far. But next time, if this happens, then such runs cannot be done."

It is better to hit with full face, in front - Arshdeep Singh

Kamran Akmal further stated that Arshdeep Singh should've hit with the full face instead of going for a slog sweep. He stated that both the teams played good cricket and stressed that India won't be making mistakes in the second game. He stated:

"It is better to hit with full face, in front. Mid-on is also up. Mid-off is also up. Mid-wicket is also not there. Then it will automatically go from above. Keep your leg and hit Sslog sweep, the risk increases in that, and then it becomes a little difficult. Anyway, good cricket was played.

"But, now we have to see India, Sri Lanka, see how India comes back. They will not repeat the mistake. They will work and come back. They have become a big team for this reason. So, now let's see how well Sri Lanka does. How many mistakes they reduce in the next ODI match."