India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023: Virat Kohli vs Shaheen Shah Afridi Matchup on Reserve Day - Mohammad Kaif reveals PAK pacer's gameplan against Indian batter

Add as a preferred source on Google

India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Reserve Day: The highly sought-after Super 4 match between Indian and Pakistani cricket teams will resume on Monday (September 11) from where it stopped due to incessant rain on Sunday (September 10).

The Rohit Sharma-led side reached 147/2 from 24.1 when it started pouring on Sunday and no further play was possible from that point, laying the hard work of ground staff at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo to waste.

IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 Match Hit By Rain

KL Rahul (17*) and Virat Kohli (8*) will resume batting for Team India on Monday and every effort will be made for the match to be completed in full on the reserve day. The Pakistani bowlers came back strongly in the game after a century opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave the Men In Blue a blistering start.

First Shadab Khan got the wicket of the Indian skipper after going for runs up front, and in the very next over Shaheen Shah Afridi - who was wicketless in the first spell - got the wicket of Gill against the run of play as Pakistan scripted a comeback.

Virat Kohli, KL Rahul vs Pakistan

Team India will now hope their senior batters Kohli and Rahul help them post a decent total on the board on the rescheduled second day. Experts are hoping for an intriguing contest between bat and ball on Monday and former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif is looking forward to the battle between Kohli and Afridi if rain doesn't play a spoilsport on Monday.

Speaking on Star Sports show on 'Follow the Blues LIVE', Kaif delved into the high expectations placed on Kohli as he faces the responsibility of bailing India out of the precarious situation in this highly anticipated match.

Kaif highlighted Kohli's remarkable ability to overcome challenges and his stellar record against Pakistan, emphasizing that when Kohli takes to the field against Pakistan, his performances speak volumes.

India vs Pakistan Reserve Day Gameplan

Talking about the expectations set on Kohli during a match against Pakistan, Kaif said "Overcoming challenges is one of Virat's best qualities. That has become his habit. It's a big match, and his record against Pakistan is great. Whenever he plays against Pakistan, his bat does the talking. And people have high expectations of him. People have expectations from someone who performs regularly.

"For newer players, as it is a big game, the expectations are not as high. But with the senior players (such as) Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, if they fail, the fans don't like it at all. There is no compromise on that; they have to perform with the bat and continue their form for the past two or three years and perform well at the World Cup also."

Virat Kohli vs Shaheen Shah Afridi in ODIs

While discussing the matchup and battle between Kohli-Afridi, Kaif provided valuable insights into the left-arm pacer's game plan of bringing the ball in with pace and pinpoint accuracy, underscoring the significance of this showdown in the context of the greatest rivalry in cricket.

Kaif also highlighted Kohli's special quality of thriving in big matches and his aggressive approach, emphasising that he won't shy away from taking on the opposition's bowlers.

While speaking on what the key matchup will be between India and Pakistan, Kaif said "Shaheen will continue to bring the ball in, bowling his inswing. He has told himself that his game plan is very simple, bring the ball in and fast. Whatever the batsman wants to do let him, his game plan is straightforward - bring the ball in, hit the pad and hit the stumps.

"So it will be exciting to see Virat Kohli in the form he is in to take him on; it is the most key matchup of the game. What makes Virat special is his ability to play in the big matches, and he won't play on the back foot. Naseem Shah, Afridi or Rauf, whoever is bowling, don't play on the back foot. If you get the chance, even on the first ball, look for the boundary."

Catch all the action from Pakistan Vs India at the Asia Cup 2023, September 11 from 3.00 pm (IST), LIVE & Exclusive on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.