'It wasn't the typical...' - Former India cricketer rings warning bell for India batters ahead of IND vs PAK Super Fours

The highly-anticipated clash of the 2023 Asia Cup between India and Pakistan was washed out due to rain, with each team sharing a point. Fans could only witness the first innings, but it provided some enthralling action, especially Shaheen Shah Afridi's fiery spell and Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya's game-changing partnership. The two teams will meet again in the Super Fours at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday, September 10, and there will be no shortage of exciting moments if rain doesn't play spoilsport.

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All eyes will be on India's top-order batters, who were crushed by Shaheen's lethal pace in the first encounter on September 2. The left-arm pacer provided Pakistan a great start as he consistently troubled Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. Eventually, he got the crucial wickets of the Indian captain and Kohli in quick succession and finished with excellent figures of 35/5 in 10 overs.

Analysing the opening moments of the game further, the Indian openers got off to a decent start with Shaheen not looking a threat in the first few overs. However, the situation changed after a short break in the fifth over when rain interrupted the match for the first time. The Pakistan pace sensation judged his game and came back with more force and he got the prize wicket of Rohit three balls later.

Sanjay Manjrekar warns Rohit Sharma and Co. against Shaheen Afridi

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As Shaheen is once again likely to pose a threat to the Indian top order, ahead of the Super Fours match former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar rang a warning bell for Rohit and Co. Manjrekar said the 23-year-old fast bowler looked different when play resumed after the rain.

"The opening phase had two spells; in the first spell before the rain had come, he was bowling typical Shaheen Afridi kind of deliveries. He was bowling further up the pitch, trying to get the ball to swing inwards, and that length was being played very well by Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma," he said during an interaction with Star Sports.

"And after the rain, someone must have spoken to Shaheen Afridi, and after the break, he brought his length back and in that length, the good length, Rohit Sharma got out, and so did Virat. So it wasn't the typical Shaheen Afridi kind of delivery that troubled the Indian batters, but the shorter length, meaning the movement from the pitch made them out," Manjrekar added.

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