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Xtra Time Web Desk: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar talked about Virat Kohli's captaincy saga stating that he was forced to leave India captaincy. Last year he quit as T20I captain and then he was removed by the BCCI as ODI captain as the selectors wanted one skipper in the white ball format. Last week Kohli then took everyone by surprise by stepping down as Team India's Captain from Test series after leading the team for seven years.

Akhtar who is currently participating in the Legends League Cricket, while talking to ANI said: "Virat didn't leave captaincy but was forced to do so. This is not the best of times for him but he needs to prove what he is made of. Is he made of steel or iron? He is a great guy and a cricketer. Do not try too many things, just go out there and play cricket. He is a great batsman and has achieved more than anyone else in the world. He just needs to go out there and play with his natural flow."

"He plays a lot with his bottom hand and I think when the form is out, bottom hand players usually are the first ones to get in trouble. I think he's gonna come out of this. He should move forward from this and not keep any bitterness against anyone. Just forgive everybody and keep moving," he added.

On being questioned about India's next Test captain, the pacer said, "I know BCCI will make a smart decision regarding this."

The schedule for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 was announced on Friday. Team India will be playing against Pakistan in their first match of the tournament on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The Men's T20 World Cup 2022 is slated to be held in Australia between October 16- November 13 and it will be played across seven venues -- Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Geelong, Hobart, and Perth.

"We will beat India again in Melbourne. Pakistan is a better side than India in T20 cricket. It's the Indian media that make unnecessary pressure on their team whenever we have the clash of both countries in cricket, it's normal for India to lose," Akhtar added.