Ashwin Blames Toss Decision for Pakistan’s Loss
Former Indian cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin criticized Pakistan’s strategy after their 61-run defeat against India. Ashwin believes Pakistan made a crucial mistake right at the coin toss before their T20 World Cup match in Colombo.
The Toss Blunder That Changed Everything
Ashwin explained that Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha chose to bowl first despite recent rainy conditions in Colombo. This turned out to be a terrible decision because chasing targets has been extremely difficult in this tournament. “Pakistan lost the game when they opted to bowl first,” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel. He pointed to Australia’s earlier struggle against Zimbabwe at the same venue as proof that batting first was smarter.
Captaincy Questions Emerge
Ashwin didn’t stop at criticizing the toss decision. He questioned Agha’s leadership during the powerplay, especially how star bowler Shaheen Afridi was used. “The way they brought Shaheen Afridi after Agha’s first over was a terrible mistake,” Ashwin said. He felt Pakistan panicked when Indian batters attacked Afridi early instead of sticking to a clear plan.
The Costly Final Over
Pakistan’s troubles peaked during the death overs. Ashwin highlighted how Afridi was brought back for the final over with India at 159 runs – a decision that backfired massively. Afridi conceded 16 runs in that over, allowing India to set a massive target that felt impossible for Pakistan. “Data tells the truth,” Ashwin commented, suggesting Afridi should’ve tried different tactics like bowling round the wicket.
Handling Pressure: India vs Pakistan
The cricket expert emphasized the mental difference between the teams: “The way Pakistan deals with pressure, India is 100 times better.” While acknowledging Pakistan’s improved tactics recently, Ashwin concluded that poor decisions under pressure cost them dearly. India’s strong finish with the bat contrasted sharply with Pakistan’s confused chase where the required run rate kept climbing.
