'Credit to Shahid Afridi' - Mohammad Hafeez takes cheeky dig at R Ashwin, names reason behind his absence from India XI

India lost their opening 2022 Asia Cup Super 4 clash against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Pakistan managed to chase 182 with five wickets and a ball remaining after brilliant knocks from Mohammad Rizwan (71) and Mohammad Nawaz (42) as the Indian bowlers put a poor display.

India were forced to make some changes to their bowling unit with Ravindra Jadeja's injury and Avesh Khan's illness. Jadeja's exit from the tournament remains a big blow for India but the Men in Blue have the quality spin options available to replace the all-rounder. While many expected Ravichandran Ashwin will replace Jadeja in the first Super-Four fixture but Indian management went ahead with Deepak Hooda and Ravi Bishnoi instead. 

Ashwin, 35, has taken 64 wickets in 54 T20I matches at an average of 21.5 and an impressive economy rate of 6.78. He has been in and out of India's white-ball team for the last few months and many were surprised to see his name in the squad for West Indies tour and the Asia Cup in UAE.

Mohammad Hafeez credits Shahid Afridi for R Ashwin's absence from India XI

After Ashwin missed the Super 4 game against Pakistan, Hafeez explained the reason behind the player's absence. He recalled the memory from 2014 Asia Cup India-Pakistan clash where Hafeez's team won the thrilling last-over encounter by one wicket. He credited his former teammate Shahid Afridi for Ashwin's recent absence from India's XI.

"Why Ashwin not playing regularly in recent past PAKvIND matches. Credit to Shahid Afridi Boom Boom master strokes in Asia Cup 2014," Hafeez tweeted.

Why Ashwin not playing regularly in recent past #PAKvIND matches. Credit to @SAfridiOfficial Boom Boom master strokes in #AsiaCup2014 pic.twitter.com/0MjjUFJ4ia

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 5, 2022

India put a 246-run target for Pakistan to chase at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur while batting first. Hafeez scored 75 runs off 117 runs to guide Pakistan closer to the target before getting caught out on Ashwin's delivery. 

Ashwin bowled the last over when Pakistan needed 10 runs to win and bowled out Saeed Ajmal on the first delivery. But Afridi ( 34 off 18) smashed two back-to-back sixes on the third and fourth delivery to guide Pakistan to a memorable win.

Ashwin finished the game as the best bowler for India by grabbing three wickets while conceding only 44 runs in 9.4 overs. India failed to qualify for the finals with only two wins in group stage fixtures and Pakistan lost the final to Sri Lanka in the 2014 Asia Cup.