Asia Cup 2022: Former captain Wasim Akram said on Tuesday that he felt sad for Arshdeep Singh amid online abuse directed at the young pacer for a dropped catch in India’s defeat to Pakistan in a Super Four match on Sunday.
Arshdeep Singh came up with a fine bowling spell against Pakistan on Sunday (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Online abuse directed at Arshdeep for dropped catch vs Pakistan
- Arshdeep dropped Asif Ali’s catch in Pakistan’s win over India
- India take on Sri Lanka in their 2nd Suiper 4 match on Tuesday
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said on Tuesday that he sees a great future for Arshdeep Singh in Indian cricket, lauding the manner in which the young pacer handled pressure in the Asia Cup 2022 match against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, September 4.
Speaking in the lead-up to India’s second Super 4 match against Sri Lanka, Wasim Akram said he feels sad about online abuse directed at Arshdeep Singh after he dropped a catch at a crucial juncture in the last-over thriller between Pakistan and India.
Arshdeep Singh dropped the catch of Asif Ali in the 18th over of Pakistan’s chase following which the big-hitting Pakistan batter hit the winning runs. Pakistan won with a ball to spare and shock India in the Super 4 stage.
It was Arshdeep who put behind the dropped catch to nearly restrict Pakistanin a terrific final over. The young pacer showcased his mental strength as he made it difficult for Pakistan to get the 7 runs that they needed after Bhuvneshwar Kumar leaked 19 runs in the penultimate over.
“I will go for Arshdeep Singh as well. The young boy has got talent. The way he bowled the last over against Pakistan under pressure. He dropped a catch, we all drop catches under pressure in knockout games. It’s not the end of the world,” Akram told Star Sports, adding that the online trolling of the young pacer needed to stop.
“I have been seeing social media and I have felt quite sad for this youngster. We must come out and support him. He is the future of Indian cricket, in my book,” he added.
Arshdeep Singh has been receiving a lot of support from his fellow Indian cricketers and the public over the last few days. The left-arm pacer has, time and again, proved he can hold his nerves at the death with his yorkers and variations.
Notably, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also backed Arshdeep Singh and urged cricketers to ignore comments from people who hide their identity and troll on social media.
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