NEW DELHI: Former cricketers Ravi Shastri, Wasim Akram and Gautam Gambhir have criticised Rishabh Pant for his poor shot selection during India's five-wicket loss to Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
Pant was dismissed off a googly by Shadab Khan, as he tried a reverse sweep, an attempt that experts found to be trifle indiscreet.
The wicketkeeper-batter was premeditated and the execution was poor as the ball went straight into the hands of Asif Ali at backward point, resulting in his dismissal at a crucial juncture.
"Rishabh Pant will be disappointed because that's not his shot. His shot is probably hit over long-on or deep mid-wicket, you end up hitting over there and get out, absolutely you can take it because that's your strength. Your strength is not reverse-sweeping," Gambhir told Star Sports.
India eventually lost the Super 4 match that went down to the wire on Sunday.
Legendary Pakistan pacer Akram felt that the southpaw, known for his power-hitting skills, could have avoided the reverse hit during the middle overs.
1/10:Asia Cup: Pakistan beat India in last over thriller
Getty Images
2/10:Pakistan beat India
<p>Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz set up a five-wicket win for Pakistan in their opening Super Four game against India in the Asia Cup on Sunday.</p>ANI
3/10:Virat Kohli
<p>Virat Kohli's 60 guided India to 181-7 after being put in to bat in Dubai.</p>Getty Images
4/10:King Kohli
<p>Kohli hit 60 off 44 balls to help India survive a middle-order stutter to post a competitive total.</p>Getty Images
5/10:32nd T20I fifty
<p>Kohli reached his 32nd T20I fifty in 36 balls with a six off Mohammad Hasnain.</p>AP
6/10:Superb knock
<p>Kohli held the innings together despite a middle-order stutter and stood strong before being run out in the final over.</p>Getty Images
7/10:Shadab Khan
<p>Leg-spinner Shadab Khan stood out for Pakistan with figures of 2-31 from his four overs.</p>Getty Images
8/10:Thrilling victory
<p>Chasing 182 for victory, Pakistan achieved their target with one ball to spare.</p>Getty Images
9/10:Match-winner
<p>Rizwan hit 71 and the left-handed Nawaz, who was promoted to number four, made 42.</p>AFP
10/10:Ravi Bishnoi
<p>Pakistan started their chase cautiously and lost skipper Babar Azam (14) off Ravi Bishnoi.</p>Getty Images"Especially at that stage of the game, there was no need to play that shot. I know he plays that shot in Test cricket. I know he is one of the top players in world cricket but at that stage of the game, that shot wasn't required," Akram said.
Skipper Rohit Sharma and opener KL Rahul had started the Indian innings on a aggressive note, hitting boundaries and sixes at will and former India coach Shastri said Pant should have observed where the opening duo got its runs from.
"Particularly after what he saw Rohit, Rahul and others were doing. Where were the runs coming? It was down the ground and in the V. It was a beautiful pitch, hats off to the groundsmen, the ball was skidding on to the bat.
"That's his strength, he can smack it. No boundary is big for Rishabh Pant if he connects it, but that's his area. Absolutely, right," Shastri concurred.
