Former Pakistan player Wahab Riaz applauded Indian captain Rohit Sharma for leading by example along with his opening partner Shubman Gill for a stunning start against Pakistan’s new-ball attack in their Asia Cup Super Four fixture in Colombo on Sunday as well. Rohit (56) and Gill (58) scored quick half-centuries and put pressure on Shaheen Shah Afridi right from the beginning. They also added 121 runs for the first wicket and Riaz gave credit to them for their positive approach as well.

Speaking in a video on Zalmi TV, Wahab Riaz said: “Rohit Sharma’s body language was positive right from the toss and that was seen in the way the openers played. It wasn’t as easy a pitch as it was shown by the openers. The pitch was two-paced and so the way the openers batted has really given them a good platform. We know how dangerous Rohit Sharma can get once he is set and he has shown that in the past. I think once the new ball didn’t produce wickets, Pakistan’s mindset became a bit defensive. But they still managed to pull the game back a bit by picking two wickets.”

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However, Wahab Riaz also opened up on the criticism that Shubman Gill had faced for his defensive approach the last time he played against Pakistan. He applauded the youngster for proving his critics wrong with some stunning strokeplay against Shaheen Afridi and others as well.

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“The Indian openers seemed to have a clarity in their approach unlike last time they faced Pakistan. They initially assessed the conditions and once they realized that the ball wasn’t swinging as much and that Shaheen wasn’t getting his line and length right, they attacked him. Shubman Gill in particular played really well after being criticized by many,” Wahab Riaz concluded.