Shoaib Akhtar slams messages claiming India 'fixed' the Sri Lanka match: 'Memes without a reason'

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has lashed out at people suggesting that India wanted to deliberately underperform in their Asia Cup Super 4 encounter against Sri Lanka. Akhtar said that he had been flooded with messages and calls alleging that “India have fixed the game” and were attempting to “lose deliberately (vs Sri Lanka) in order to eliminate Pakistan” from the Asia Cup. The former pacer categorically dismissed all these theories and said that they did not make sense. “I don’t know what you guys are doing. I am getting memes and messages saying ‘India have fixed the game’, that they are losing deliberately in order to eliminate Pakistan. Are you alright?” Akhtar said in the video on his X account.

He also praised the Sri Lanka bowling attack, especially the spinners Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka. Wellalage tore through the Indian batting order and ended with a 5-wicket haul. Asalanka, on the other hand, was accurate as well and ended with 4 wickets. Akhtar also said that India would never want to lose deliberately since they wanted to seal their spot in the final. “Why would they lose, tell me? They want to go through to the final. You end up making memes without any reason. It was a great fightback from India. The way Kuldeep played, it was massive. Look at Jasprit Bumrah, look at the fight while defending a small total,” Akhtar added. Despite being rolled out for 213 runs, the Indian bowling attack hit back in some style as their pacers broke the back of the Sri Lankan top order. Kuldeep Yadav then stepped up and picked up four wickets to hasten Sri Lanka’s end. After his efforts with the ball, Wellalage chipped in with an unbeaten 42 off 46 deliveries and looked to take the match away from India. But Kuldeep, Hardik, and Ravindra Jadeja delivered crucial breakthroughs as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 172. Asia Cup: PAK vs SL LIVE After this win, India have made it to the final and they will take on the winner of the match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. If Pakistan beat Sri Lanka, it will be the first time in Asia Cup history that India will take on Pakistan in the final.