T20 World Cup 2022: "They stopped playing those shots after my scoop" - Misbah-ul-Haq on why Pakistan batters don't play innovative shots
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has been quite humorous in his recent interviews, and he produced another hilarious moment, recalling his mistimed scoop shot in the T20 World Cup final against India in 2007.
The Men in Green needed just six runs to win off four balls when Misbah tried to play a cheeky scoop shot off Joginder Sharma. However, he only managed to lob it up in the air and straight into the hands of Sreesanth at fine leg. That proved to be the end of the game as India won the inaugural T20 World Cup.
In a recent video that has gone viral on Twitter, legendary speedster Wasim Akram was seen questioning the current batters from his nation for not being innovative enough and relying heavily on orthodox shots. He said:
"I have never seen Pakistan players play reverse lap or the cheeky sweep. If I am playing against Pakistan, I will know that they don't play unorthodox shots. I don't know why they don't play such shots."
To this, Misbah-ul-Haq hilariously replied by recalling that scoop shot and letting Wasim know how harsh the fans have been on him for that. He said:
"They stopped playing those shots after my scoop during the final (2007 T20 World Cup) (laughs). They must have thought, "They (fans) are not letting him live in peace, so it's better we don't try it at all." I had hit 15 fours before that shot, but no one remembers that."
Pakistan hoping for Shaheen Afridi's masterclass
Shaheen Afridi's fitness is something the entire Pakistan cricket fraternity was worried about. They will be relieved when the speedster joins the team ahead of their T20 World Cup warm-up game against England.
Babar Azam and his men will once again be facing India in their opening game of the T20 World Cup this Sunday. The Men in Green will be confident after their 10-wicket win over India last year. Shaheen will definitely play a crucial role if they want to beat the Men in Blue twice in a row.