“The cricket Gods wanted to do it for him,” Shoaib Akhtar recalls Virat Kohli’s MCG heroics against Pakistan in T20 World Cup

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar complimented Kohli's determination and identifying innings against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022.

“The cricket Gods wanted to do it for him,” Shoaib Akhtar recalls Virat Kohli’s MCG heroics against Pakistan in T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli and Shoaib Akhtar (via Times of Sports)

Fifteen years ago, on August 18, 2008, a promising and youthful Virat Kohli adorned the Indian cricket uniform for the first time, replacing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for an ODI match against Sri Lanka. The 18-year-old Kohli faced an intimidating Sri Lankan attack that included Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan. He had just won the Under-19 World Cup. He batted with determination, accumulating scores of 12, 37, 25, 54, and 31 in his first five matches. Today, even after 15 years of King Kohli’s cricketing career, his accomplishments continue to be nothing short of remarkable.

Notably, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar complimented Kohli’s determination and identifying innings against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022. In the face of criticism and media pressure, Virat Kohli‘s unbeaten 82 runs innings under difficult conditions reclaimed his “kingdom.” On that historic day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Akhtar believed that the cricketing authorities were conspiring to restore Kohli’s title.

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Regarding Kohli’s destiny, Akhtar also emphasized that he prioritizes Test cricket in order to extend his international cricketing career. He encouraged Kohli to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries and viewed his standing down as a liberating opportunity for Kohli to concentrate on his batting skills.

“That match was all about Virat Kohli. He wasn’t in the best of form, and was facing a lot of heat from you guys in India. The media was after him. It was as of God was telling him – this is your stage, come and become king again” Akhtar said a show.

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Shoaib Akhtar backs Pakistan to beat India in 2023 ODI World Cup

On the occasion of Virat Kohli, the former India captain, completing 15 years in international cricket, Shoaib Akhtar reflected on one of Kohli's finest knocks.
Pakistan Cricket Team ( Image via Getty )

The World Cup 2023 will be Pakistan’s first ODI World Cup in India since 2011 (they had previously participated in the World T20 in 2016). The excitement around the onset of this ODI WC 2023 could not be higher with just over two months left. Viewers are also looking forward to the 14th October showdown between India and Pakistan at the Narendra Modi stadium, Ahmedabad.

Shoaib Akhtar came out of his silence to pick a winner in the high-stakes match, despite widespread speculation about the outcome. There is always a first time, in Akhtar’s opinion, and Pakistan ought to prevail with a victory over India. Also, according to Akhtar, the host country is under much more stress and hardship because of the media’s exaggerations.

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