PAK vs ENG: "Match Jeetaya Hai To Isliye Ye Ankadey Behtar Lag Rahe Hai"- Virender Sehwag Compares Ben Stokes' Innings In Final With Virat Kohli's Innings In Semi-final

Following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia on Sunday, legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag contrasted Ben Stokes’ and Virat Kohli’s opposing performances.

As England’s free-scoring openers Jos Buttler and Alex Hales propelled the Three Lions to a 10-wicket victory against India in the second semi-final on Thursday, Kohli’s valiant effort against England was in vain.

Ben Stokes Take England Home With Patient Innings

Ben Stokes-inspired England outclassed Pakistan in the low-scoring match to win the T20 World Cup on Sunday, after their victory against India in the penultimate match.

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), all-rounder Stokes played a valiant knock of 52 off 49 balls to launch England’s comeback as Buttler guided England to a 5 wicket victory over Babar’s Pakistan in the T20 World Cup final.

The Three Lions were able to chase down the pitiful score of 138 at the MCG in 19 overs because of Stokes’ unbroken innings. The most recent ICC competition final saw Stokes achieve his highest T20I total for England.

Ben Stokes Would Have Been Criticized If Situation Was Different: Virender Sehwag

In response to England’s historic victory against Pakistan, former India opener Sehwag claimed that Ben Stokes would have faced criticism if the same knock had occurred in the final at the MCG after Buttler and company chose to bat rather than bowl first.

“Ye ankadey unke 49 balls mein 52 agar wo pehle khel rhe hotey to sab criticize kartey. Kyuki situation kay hisaab se khele hai – 52 not out, match jeetaya hai to isliye ye ankadey behtar lag rahe hai. Agar Virat Kohli ki baat karey to 40 balls mein 50 run halkey isliye lag rhe they kyuki India wo match haar gya. Aur phle batting karkey jeet bhi jata hai koi to wo (knock) crucial bhi to ho jaati na 40-ball mein 50 run.

(Stokes would have been criticised if he had scored 52 off 49 balls in 1st innings or while not chasing. Because he played as per the situation, his knock is looking good on paper. If we talk about Virat Kohli, his last knock against England doesn’t have much weight because India lost the match. And the same knock would’ve been deemed a crucial one (40-ball 50) if India had won the match,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz during a discussion.

“Bhayi wo nahi banatey to India 168 tak nahi phochta. Yaha par unhoney 52 banaye hai, ye ant tak rahe hai, match ko jeetakey leke gaye hai, balls to aur bhi bachi hui thi na? To poora 1 over bacha hua tha abhi, to wo balls ka kya kartey. At least match khatam karkey gye hai to isliye ye ankadey behtar lag rhe hai.

(Because of that knock, India would not have reached the 168-run total. Here, Stokes scored 52 and he remained unbeaten. He guided England to glory and they completed the run chase with 6 balls to spare. Since he ended the match in England’s favour, his knock is looking good on the scorecard),” Sehwag added.

The top scorer for Buttler and company was Ben Stokes, and the best bowler for England in the World Cup final was pacer Sam Curran. The quick Curran took three wickets and gave up 12 runs in four overs.

For his outstanding bowling performance, the Englishman was also named the Player of the Match. The T20 World Cup 2022’s Player of the Tournament was Curran, who finished with 13 wickets.

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