IND vs PAK: 'Yeh Rohit Sharma hai hi nahi' - Shoaib Akhtar says batter's 'stunt double' playing vs Shaheen Afridi

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Shoaib Akhtar has blasted India captain Rohit Sharma for trying too much against Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi who bowled him in the Asia Cup 2023 match on Saturday, September 2.

Shoaib Akhtar while criticising the opener, claimed that Rohit Sharma changed his stance to tackle the threat from the left-arm pacer but got clean bowled in the process. The former Pakistan pacer said it appeared as if Rohit Sharma's "stunt double' was batting in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.

"Yeh Rohit Sharma woh Rohit Sharma hai hi nahi. Yeh uska stunt double hai. Shaheen uske dimaag mein baith gaya hai. (This is not the same Rohit Sharma. This one's a stunt double. Shaheen has conquered his mind). I have never seen him change his stance, but what was happening there? Stance change kara, beat hua, bowled hua (He changed his stance and got bowled). Shaheen is subconsciously in his mind. This is what pressure of India vs Pakistan match does to players," Akhtar said during a virtual press conference organised by Star Sports.

Earlier, Shoaib Akhtar had said that the 36-year-old was just not able to "read or understand" Shaheen Afridi. He had added that Rohit Sharma was a far better player and can do much better against any pace attack.

"I think Rohit is unable to read or understand Shaheen. The visual of Rohit Sharma being beaten like this was not good, but he is a far better player than this. Rohit can bat much better than this. I think he is worrying too much," Akhtar had said on his YouTube channel.

Rohit Sharma has faced Shaheen Afridi twice in T20I cricket and scored four runs off six balls at an average of 4 and a strike rate of 66.7. He has dismissed him once in the format.

In ODIs, Rohit has scored 27 runs off 36 balls at an average of 27 and a strike rate of 75.0 . Shaheen has dismissed Rohit once in the ODI format as well.