Shoaib Akhtar slams match-fixing theories during Asia Cup 2023

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has slammed the conspiracy theory during the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Apparently, after India thrashed Pakistan by 228 runs on September 12, they played against Sri Lanka the next day. In this game, Pakistan's best interest was India's win as the Green Brigade's NRR is the worst in Super Four. After the first innings, the Men In Blue was bowled out for 213 runs, having started at 80/0 in 11 overs.

However, as the wicket had a lot of help for the spinners (looked like a day four or five pitch), they managed to defend the score. Despite the best efforts from Dunith Wellelage (five wickets and 40-odd runs) and Dhananjaya de Silva, the defending champions lost the game by 41 runs. After the game, Akhtar clarified that India wouldn't have tried losing the game.

"I don't know what you guys are doing. I am getting memes and messages saying 'India have fixed the game', that they are losing deliberately in order to eliminate Pakistan. Are you alright? They (Sri Lanka) are bowling their heart out. Wellalalge and Asalanka bowled their heart out. Did you see that 20-year-old kid? He scored 43 runs and took 5 wickets. I am getting phone calls from India and other countries, saying India were losing deliberately."

Sri Lanka played their heart out but India were superior on the day. pic.twitter.com/nJPPUa9EWe

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 12, 2023

They want to go through to the final: Shoaib Akhtar

"Why would they lose, tell me? They want to go through to the final. You end up making memes without any reason. It was a great fightback from India. The way Kuldeep played, it was massive. Look at Jasprit Bumrah, look at the fight while defending a small total," Akhtar added.

Now that India won the game, they have qualified for the final. They will now wait for the winner of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka. If the game ends as a no result, Sri Lanka will go through.