(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] The Babar Azam-led Pakistan featured in a must-win game of the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four stage, but lost by 2 wickets to Sri Lanka while defending a total of 252 in 42 overs (DLS method). The Pakistan team was dealing with numerous injuries and had to play without Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, and Agha Salman.
The game went down to the wire with Sri Lanka needing two runs off one delivery. Zaman Khan, who was playing his debut ODI, had the responsibility on his shoulders to defend it, but it didn’t happen.
Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, on his YouTube channel, analyzed that the Pakistan players hadn’t overcome the massive morale-denting loss of 228 runs against India, and that defeat was still haunting the them during the Sri Lanka clash.
“The massive defeat against India has given a psychological dent to Pakistan. They seemed to carry that loss in this match as well. They looked timid and scared and failed to close out the game. Babar Azam and top order looked over-cautious. They lacked authority,” Ramiz said as quoted on his YouTube channel.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also criticized Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman and Babar for their batting and leadership respectively. Regarding Fakhar, Ramiz said that he had become a walking wicket and also criticized Babar’s captaincy skills, urging him to step up.
“Fakhar Zaman is a walking wicket nowadays. His body language is looking shocking. I think Fakhar should himself refuse to play. On a slower track, Babar has struggled, barring one or two innings. He needs to step up as captain as well. He should take authoritative decisions,” he added.