Dhaka, July 9 (TNS): Pakistan opening batsman Fakhar Zaman, who scored a match winning hundred in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final against India has revealed that he was sledged by India captain Virat Kohli and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, a Bangladesh based cricket website reported on Sunday.
Fakhar Zaman, who made his international debut in the Champions Trophy has become an overnight sensation in Pakistan with his heroics with the bat in the tournament. He played a crucial role in Pakistan qualifying to the final of the tournament. He saved the best for the last, scoring his maiden ODI century and setting up his side for a monumental victory against arch rival India.
In a recent interview Fakhar has revealed that he had to face some sledging from the Indian players while batting. Virat and Bumrah were the most vocal ones.
“There was a lot of chatter when Azhar Ali and I were at the crease,” Fakhar said.”Virat was constantly saying, ‘Arre, ek wicket nikal jayega toh yeh saare out ho jaayenge. Bas ek ko nikaalo jaldi ‘(If we get one wicket, the rest will collapse)”.
Bumrah, who bowled that infamous no ball that gave Fakhar a 2nd life, was also trying very hard to rile up Fakhar.
Fakhar had this to say about Bumrah,“On one occasion, he(Bumrah) said, ‘Thoda saamne bhi run banaa le. Kab tak aise khelega?‘(Make some runs in front of the wicket. How long are you going to play like this?).”
However, the Pakistani opener didn’t mind the sledging as it didn’t cross any lines according to him. He concluded by saying, “But to be honest, the Indian players didn’t cross any line. Actually, that was purely cricket-related and positive sledging, which is fine. Everyone wants to see his team win and they do their best to achieve that.”
