'Rohit Sharma can't deliver under pressure': Salman Butt's scathing attack on 'Hitman' ahead of Asia Cup 2023

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Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has criticised Rohit Sharma for failing to deliver in big matches despite playing international cricket for over 16 years. The comments from Butt comes as the India captain gears for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

India are scheduled to kick off their campaign against Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2. There is a high probability of the arch-rivals locking horns in the Super Fours round on September 10 in Colombo. In case the two teams qualify for the finals, they will lock horns for the third time on September 17.

"I accept that Rohit is a big player, but some players are there who have been around for a long time but when pressure gets to them, they can't deliver. Especially at the knock-out stages, this is something that has to be worked on," Butt said on his YouTube channel.

Rohit Sharma has failed to deliver in the crunch matches at ICC events since 2014. He scored 29 off 26 in the final of T20 World Cup 2014 before perishing for 34 off 48 in the semi-final of the 2015 ODI World Cup against Australia. The opener was dismissed for 0 and 1 in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final and 2019 World World Cup semi-final, respectively. In the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022, the 36-year-old scored 27 off 28 balls.

However, Rohit had amassed 648 runs from nine matches at the 2019 World Cup which also saw him record five hundreds including one against Pakistan in Manchester. The star batter would be playing his last ODI World Cup this year and would be hoping to turn back the clock to deliver on the biggest stage for India one final time.