Asia Cup 2023: "Had Shaheen Afridi Not Injured Himself ... "- Iftikhar Ahmed's Massive Take On T20 World Cup 2022 Final

Shaheen Afridi getting injured in the final of the T20 World Cup 2022 played a big part in Pakistan not winning the title. Pakistan took on England in the final with England ultimately winning the match with an over to spare to be crowned the T20 World Cup champions.

Pakistan set England a target of 138 with Ben Stokes scoring an unbeaten 52 to take his team home. This was after England had a shaky start to their chase with Jos Buttler and Alex Hales dismissed early.

Midway through the England chase, Shaheen Afridi suffered an injury which forced Pakistan skipper Babar Azam to go to Iftikhar Ahmed. He bowled just five balls giving away 143 runs with England getting a much-needed momentum in the chase. Afridi was able to bowl just two overs due to his unfortunate injury.

Iftikhar Ahmed On Shaheen Afridi’s Injury

“I believe had Shaheen not injured himself, we would have won the T20 World Cup. It was a tricky pitch and seamers were getting help. It wasn’t a spinner’s pitch, but I had to bowl because we had no option” Iftikhar Ahmed said in an interview with Cricwick.

He further spoke about Pakistan’s chances in the upcoming Asia Cup and how good they are playing against Spin. The Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka with every team having a good spin attack. The conditions across the venues will be conducive for spin as well.

“These are just false talks that Pakistan batters can’t play spinners. If we don’t play spinners well, then who will play? Will Australia, England, or New Zealand play? We have grown up playing on spin-friendly wickets and have played in Bangladesh and Dubai where you get spin from the first over. I feel Pakistan batters are best players of spin” Iftikhar further added.

Babar Azam Is As Big A Captain As A Player: Iftikhar Ahmed

The Pakistan cricketer further opined on Babar Azam’s captaincy. Under Babar, Pakistan has been a better white-ball side than a red-ball side. He took the team to the knockouts in the last two T20 World Cups.

“Babar Azam as a captain is as big as he is a player. He himself leads by example by playing fearless cricket and also urges his teammates to play fearlessly. He has told the players to talk to him openly about whatever is bothering them and he tries to solve it. He has always supported the players” Iftikhar said on Babar.

India take on Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022 clash on September 2 in Pallekele.