“This is an innings defeat for Pakistan” - Former Indian spinner takes a dig at Men In Green after 61-run defeat to India

Former Indian spinner and commentator Murali Kartik has stated that it was an innings defeat for Pakistan after their 61-run defeat to their arch-rivals India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.

Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, Karthik asserted that 175 was above par for Pakistan on a tough and tricky wicket. He went on to add that Ishan Kishan’s 77-run knock made things easier for other Indian batters in the middle-order.

"Absolutely, this is an innings defeat. The confidence with which India wrecked Pakistan, it is absolutely right that this will be considered as an innings defeat. We were all confident after the first innings that India's bowling was more than enough to defend 175. 175 was more than enough, maybe 3-4 batters more could have played for Pakistan. Someone could have been given double batting," Murali Kartik said on Cricbuzz.

"175 was more than enough on this pitch, it was well above-par. On a wicket, where every batter struggled, the way Ishan Kishan played, he made things easier for the rest of the batters," he added.

On the other hand, Zaheer Khan, the former Indian pacer, also made it clear that the gap between India and Pakistan cricket is growing with each passing game, adding that it turned out to be a one-sided match by the end of the powerplay in the chase.

"When Pakistan started batting, it did not feel like they could be in the game in any way. With each passing match, the gap between India and Pakistan is growing. Pakistan were out of this match after the powerplay itself, but India's killer instinct was on show. They did not reduce the intensity, and it ended up being a one-sided match," Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz.

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