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While analysing England’s tactics after their Champions Trophy exit, Sunil Gavaskar and Wasim Akram engaged in a hilarious discussion about Adil Rashid’s batting prowess.
(From left) Wasim Akram, Adil Rashid and Sunil Gavaskar (Screengrab/AFP)
England have yet again made an early exit from an ICC tournament, and it has rightfully resulted in the criticism of their captain and players. Skipper Jos Buttler has rejected the possibility of any knee-jerk reaction even amidst demands that his time as England captain is over.
England’s Champions Trophy semifinal hope went up in flames on Wednesday night when a spirited Afghanistan defeated them by eight runs in a thrilling contest held in Lahore.
Afghanistan had set England a target of 326 and England were bowled out for 317 in 49.5 overs.
Adil Rashid was the final wicket to fall after he holed out to long-off to be dismissed on 5 off 7.
Sunil Gavaskar and Wasim Akram later questioned England’s tactics besides taking hilarious digs at Rashid, a legspinner, for not being able to properly connect the bat with the ball during his short stay despite scoring 10 centuries in first-class cricket.
“My question is to all of you: How has Adil Rashid got 11 (10) first-class hundreds?” Akram said during cricket show ‘Dressing Room’ on Sports Central.
“You (Akram) should explain,” quipped Waqar Younis who was also part of the panel.
“Every time when I am on commentary duties for the past 10 years, a stats guy reminds me he’s (Rashid) got 11 hundreds,” Akram responded before Younis suggested his former Pakistan teammate to stop mentioning the stat when he’s on air.
“I am sorry Rashid but you didn’t look like…(a guy with 11 centuries),” Akram added.
Gavaskar then suggested England shouldn’t bat Rashid at no.9 and instead play him as an opener. “…if he (Rashid) bats at no.9, how can he score a hundred? A message should be sent to England management: He’s got 11 hundreds, make him open the innings,” the former India captain said.
England will hope to sign off with a consolation win when they take on South Africa in the final Group B fixture on Saturday.
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favorite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
