‘Overcoming challenges is one of Virat’s best qualities’ – Mohammad Kaif’s take on Virat-Shaheen Afridi contest
Mohammad Kaif recently opened up about the Indian cricket team’s legendary batsman Virat Kohli’s performance against Pakistan’s ace bowler Shaheen shah Afridi in the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan. The skilled Pakistan bowler dismissed India’s captain and Virat Kohli in the first game at Kandy and took Shubman Gill’s wicket on 10 September.
India vs Pakistan game will resume on its reserve day on 11 September, Monday. Mohammad Kaif believes overcoming challenges is one of Virat Kohli’s best qualities and he can easily beat Shaheen Afridi. He also discussed Virat Kohli’s previous records against Pakistan. Virat Kohli has consistently given stellar performances across all formats of the game for the Indian cricket team.
Mohammad Kaif analysed Virat Kohli and Shaheen Afridi’s performances
“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 if the senior players, Virat Kohli, and 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”, said Mohammad Kaif.
“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”, added Mohammad Kaif.
