‘We will support our team and that’s all we can do’- Shoaib Akhtar on Pakistan’s loss against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023
Pakistan and Sri Lanka met on 14 September for their final league matches of the super four stage before one of them could qualify for the Asia Cup. 2023 final match. Rain played spoilsport twice in the match which resulted in the game being 42 overs. Pakistan batted 1st to give Sri Lanka a target of 252. The defending champions, Sri Lanka won the match on the last ball by two wickets to seal the final spot.
Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently talked about Pakistan’s exit from the Asia Cup, 2023 exclusively on his YouTube channel, where he discussed Shaheen Afridi and Zaman Khan, who created good chances for Pakistan to come back in the match however, Charith Asalanka gave a stellar performance to hit the winning runs for Sri Lanka.
Shoaib Akhtar on Pakistan’s exit from Asia Cup, 2023
“Pakistan are out of the tournament. Whatever chance they had at the end was made by Zaman Khan. Shaheen also picked wickets but it was Zaman who bowled really well. Pakistan had the final in their sights which the whole world wanted to watch, but unfortunately, they have been knocked out”, said Shoaib Akhtar.
“The India-Pakistan final that so many wanted to see is still not possible. But Sri Lanka deserved to play the final. Very well-deserved. Asalanka has the ability to hit big shots. But look how clever he was as he just placed the ball for two runs. This is the maturity that players have and the idea that they have about rotating strike and pacing the innings, the same I want from Pakistan.”
“We will support our team and that’s all we can do. But this is an embarrassing loss. To get out of the tournament in this fashion is not nice. Pakistan have a lot to think about if they want to win the World Cup. The captaincy needs to sharpen up”, added Akhtar.
“From here, Pakistan need to look at their World Cup squad. My suggestion would be don’t create any confusion and prepare your final XI. You don’t have depth in your middle order, you don’t have quality spinners, you don’t have a strong batting line-up. Abdullah Shafique is one of his kind and needs to be backed”, concluded Shoaib Akhtar.
