"But you have to admit it, if Naseem Shah is not playing and the quality of Pakistan’s spin bowling is like this," he added.

However, Shastri's assessment didn't stop there. What followed was a candid dose of reality. Shastri emphasized that while Shaheen Afridi possesses skill and potential, he's not in the league of cricketing legends like Wasim Akram.

"Shaheen is not Wasim Akram," Shastri emphasized. “He’s a good bowler, but there is no need for us to hype him so highly. If a player is simply a good player, we should restrict our praise to saying he is a good player. He’s not a great player, we need to admit that.”

Pakistan's Performance and Unfulfilled Hopes

The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams and their supporters. Pakistan, after a promising start, found themselves struggling to defend a modest total. 

Their batting lineup, initially showing potential, crumbled to a disappointing 191 all-out. It was a performance that left fans disillusioned, hoping for more from their team.

On the other side, India celebrated their third consecutive triumph in the tournament, solidifying their reputation as formidable contenders. Rohit Sharma's explosive innings of 86 runs off 63 balls, which included six massive sixes, played a pivotal role in their victory. 

However, amid the sixes and boundaries, it was Shastri's candid commentary that added a unique flavor to the clash.

In a world where opinions run as deep as cricketing rivalries, Shastri's no-nonsense commentary adds a layer of introspection to an already enthralling tournament. 

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