‘He is back, but he must retire because…’ – Shoaib Akhtar opens up after Virat Kohli’s heroics against Pakistan in 20-20 World Cup

Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistani cricketer, opened up Virat Kohli’s valiant innings that helped India clinch an effective win against Pakistan on October 23, Sunday in the 20-20 World Cup at Melbourne. For the unversed, the Indian giant scored an unbeaten 82 runs off 53 balls and helped India chase down the target of 160 with 6 wickets to spare. 

Commenting on the India-Pakistan scuffle on his YouTube channel, Akhtar said that the tournament starts only when the rivals clash and added that the match had everything from controversies to stellar performances. 

“Pakistan have done marvelously well. Don’t be down, you all really played well. India did really well… they won one of the best matches in the history. It was a complete World Cup match. It had everything- dropped catch, run-out, no-ball, controversies, stumping. World Cup has just started, World Cup begins only when India-Pakistan play and the two teams will face off again. Pakistan will see India again, later in this World Cup” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel. 

He is back with a bang: Akhtar

Admitting Kohli’s comeback, Akhtar said that the batter must retire from the T20Is and revealed the reason for it as well. Saying that the batter must not put all his energies in the shortest format of the game, Akhtar said that Kohli must not continue in the format to save the best for himself. 

“He is back with a bang. I want him to retire from T20I because I don’t want that he puts his entire energy in T20I cricket. With similar commitment like today, he can score three centuries in ODIs,” Akhtar said on his channel. 

Further, the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ lauded the Indian giant for his greathearted innings and added that the batter came out on top because of his self-confidence and belief. Akhtar, who took cognizance of Kohli’s never giving up attitude, also lauded the veteran for his valiant character. 

“Jab Irade toot-te hai toh yakeen bahar aata hai aur jab yakeen pukhta ho jata hai toh character bahar aata hai and uska naam Virat Kohli hai,” (When you’re down, self confidence has to be revived and when confidence gets consolidated, character gets channelised and Virat Kohli is a personification of the same)” said the former pacer.