“Na ishq na pyaar mein..jo maza 8-0 ki haar mein!” – Virender Sehwag roasts Shoaib Akhtar amid IND vs PAK 2023 World Cup match
Amid the Indo-Pak 2023 World Cup clash, former India opener Virender Sehwag roasted ex-Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar on Saturday, October 14. That came as the Babar Azam-led side were bundled out for 191 in 42.5 overs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Sehwag pointed out that the Men in Blue enjoy a 7-0 win record and backed his side for another victory against Pakistan in the ODI World Cups.
Replying to Akhtar's post on X, Sehwag trolled the former speedster with:
“Shayad khamoshi ke chauke dekhkar Pakistani batsman ne jaldi jaldi pavillion lautne ki thaan li. Jhel nahi paaye yaar pressure Haha..Koi nahi Shoaib Bhai. Na Ishq Na Pyaar mein..Jo Maza 8-0 ki haar mein!"
Translated version:
"[Witnessing the sudden silence, the Pakistani batters decided to get out and go back to the pavilion quickly. They couldn’t handle the pressure. Haha, no problem Shoaib brother. The real fun is making it 8-0, not in love!]”
The response came as Akhtar shared a flurry of posts on X on the eve of the blockbuster encounter and the matchday. The pacer even questioned India captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first.
Pakistan set 192-run target for India in 2023 World Cup match
Asked to bat first, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique (20 off 24) and Imam-ul-Haq (36 off 38) provided a promising start. Mohammed Siraj provided the first breakthrough by dismissing Shafique lbw out. Hardik Pandya then sent back Imam, caught behind by wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
Captain Babar Azam (50 off 58) and Mohammad Rizwan (49 off 69) then added an 82-run partnership for the third wicket. Siraj then cleaned up Azam before the hosts took complete charge of the game.
Following Azam’s dismissal, Pakistan fell like a pack of cards, losing their last eight wickets for just 36 runs.
All Indian bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja - barring Shardul Thakur returned with two wickets apiece.
In response, India were 96/2 after 13 overs, with Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer at the crease. The hosts are chasing a hat-trick of wins after consecutive victories against Australia and Afghanistan by six and eight wickets, respectively.
Shaheen Afridi provided the first breakthrough by dismissing Shubman Gill (16 off 11), while Hasan Ali sent back Virat Kohli (16 off 18).
Follow the IND vs PAK 2023 World Cup live coverage here.