Shan Masood hero or villain? Fans debate after Pakistan batter’s slow 50 vs India

Pakistan have set a target of 160 runs for India to chase in 20 overs. Shan Masood was Pakistan’s top scorer with 52 runs off 42 balls. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar was India’s best bowler, giving only 22 runs in his four over spell and taking a wicket. 

Shan Masood, who scored his third T20I half century, had a slow start to his half century, as he took 13 balls to reach double figures. All throughout his innings, he scored with his strike rate hovering around 100. Fans were quick to debate his half ton, with some fans saying that his slow innings might cost Pakistan some crucial 20-25 runs in the end. Others said that his innings was brilliant, as it came at time when Pakistan lost both its openers early. He also helped Pakistan navigate the innings after India took some quick wickets in the middle overs. 

Here’s how fans reacted to Masood’s slow half century:

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Masood was also very lucky in his innings. He almost ran himself out in as many as three instances, with the first chance coming in the second over itself after Virat Kohli missed a difficult direct hit when the batter hadn’t even opened his account in the innings. He was again lucky after being caught by Ravichandran Ashwin. The umpire also gave the soft signal as out, however replays showed that Ashwin’s fingers weren’t beneath the ball during the catch. 

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He was then saved by spider cam, as he mishit the delivery to give a potential catch to Indian fielders. He again got a lifeline in the next ball itself as he hit straight to Ashwin, but the catch was dropped.