Shoaib Akhtar lauds Virat Kohli's gesture post Indo-Pak ICC Champions Trophy final

Karachi: Virat Kohli leads the Indian team by example. From sportsmanship to fitness levels, the India skipper draws constant admiration from all over the world for his ethics and values. Kohli, who guided the Men in Blue to the ICC Champions Trophy finals in June, came up with a wonderful gesture after his team lost to arch-rivals Pakistan.

Shoaib Akhtar, who witnessed many heated conversations with players from the neighbouring country during his playing days, was impressed what the Indian talisman did after the match.

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“Even in matches, we must always show respect. It's fine to lose a game. Hats off to Kohli who went to the Pakistan dressing room after the Champions Trophy final and congratulated our players. He spoke very highly of the Pakistan team. You know he is not only a great cricketer, he is a great ambassador for India as well," Akhtar was quoted saying by Khaleej Times.

Kohli shares a good bond with Pakistan cricketers and has never shied away from praising them. Mohammad Amir, who is among the list, explained the feeling of getting rid of Kohli in the finals after Azhar Ali dropped him on his previous delivery.

Also read: Mohammad Amir discusses Virat Kohli, Indo-Pak rivalry and ICC Champions Trophy final

“When Kohli was dropped, I thought half the game was gone, to be honest. Because he is the kind of batsman if you give him a chance, he won’t score less than hundred. Ninety-percent of the time, you give him a chance, he gets a hundred. He doesn’t give you a second chance. Everybody knows if you get Kohli, India is 50% out of the game. Till he is at the crease, India’s chances of winning are 70-80%. If you look at his chasing ratio, he is at the top of the world. He chases well, he performs well under pressure,” the speedster said to ESPNCricinfo.