‘No other batsman could have done that to our bowling line-up’ – Shadab Khan recalls Virat Kohli’s MCG masterclass ahead of India-Pakistan clash

Shadab Khan vs India. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan heaped massive praise on flamboyant India batter Virat Kohli for his match-winning knock during the 2022 T20 World Cup. Notably, it was Kohli’s unconquered 53-ball 82, which steered the Men in Blue to a magnificent win from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the showpiece event.

Now, a year later, the two arch-rivals are all set to lock horns in the Asia Cup 2023, and with this, Shadab Khan reopened the old wounds ahead of the high-voltage clash. The spinner lavished praise on the Delhi-born batter and added that no other cricketer in that position in the event could have won the game against Pakistan’s lethal bowling line-up.

“He (Virat Kohli) is a world-class player, definitely. You have to plan a lot to face him. The kind of batsman that Virat Kohli is, the way he has performed against us, even in the last match at the (2022 T20) World Cup, I don’t think that if any other batsman in the world was in that situation, could have done that to our bowling line-up. And, the beauty of it is that he can do this at any stage and at any time,” Shadab told on Star Sports.

Since bursting into the scene following the U-19 World Cup win in 2008, Kohli has played numerous praiseworthy knocks which has helped his side win matches. However, the stellar innings against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup could be deemed as arguably one of his best knocks of all time.

India will take on Pakistan in their Asia Cup opening campaign

Meanwhile, Pakistan and team India will square off at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, in Kandy, on September 2, in the Asia Cup 2023. While Pakistan are riding high on the back of a mammoth 238-run win against Nepal in their first match, a victory against the Men in Blue will further cement their spot in the Super Four.

Likewise, Rohit Sharma and Co. will look to get off to a winning start before turning their attention towards the clash against Nepal.