‘Can say whatever they want’ – Shadab Khan fires back at Ajit Agarkar’s ‘Virat Kohli will handle them’ remark

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar recently announced the India squad for Asia Cup 2023 in an official press meet. While the Asia Cup in itself is a big honour for Asian teams, the clash between India and Pakistan carries extra importance of its own. As such, the buildup to the marquee clash has been fiery and exciting. In the press conference itself, Agarkar was asked about team India’s solution for Pakistan’s fiery pace attack. The chief selector casually made a statement in reply. He said, ‘Virat Kohli will handle them.’

Now, star Pakistan allrounder Shadab Khan has fired back at Ajit Agarkar saying that the things done on the field will matter and not what is spoken off the field ahead of the game. “Dekhiye, ye depend karta hai on a day. Main ya koi aur, ya unki taraf se koi aisa bol de, to bolne se kuch nahi hota, kuch change nahi hota. Jab match hoga, match mein jo cheezein nazar ayengi, asal cheez wahi hoti hai (See, it all depends on what happens that day. Me or someone else, or someone from their side, can say whatever they want. It doesn’t make any difference. When the match takes place, then only we’ll get to know what is the reality),” Shadab said while replying to a journalist’s query.

India and Pakistan could meet three times in Asia Cup 2023

Speaking of the Asia Cup 2023, the tournament will be held in the 50-over format this year in an effort to prepare the teams for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Moreover, the tournament will be held in a hybrid model, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India had reservations about travelling to Pakistan and hence, the hybrid model allowed for Sri Lanka to host all of India’s games. Moreover, most of the Super 4 games and the final are scheduled in Sri Lanka.

Team India and Pakistan can meet each other up to three times in the tournament. Team India will open their campaign against the arch-rivals on September 2 in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Up next, they could also meet in the Super 4s and the final. However, the two games are subject to qualification from both teams.