SL vs PAK: ‘God Save Him From The Evil Eye’: Pakistan Legend Defends ‘Unlucky’ Babar Azam After Asia Cup Failure

Despite being the favourites going into the Asia Cup 2022 final, Pakistan had to settle for second place. With just 58 on the board, the Babar Azam-led team packed half of the Lankan unit and got the match off to the predicted start. 

However, the team managed to reach 170/6 after 20 overs thanks to a superb performance from Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who hit an unbeaten 71 off 45 balls, and a cameo of 36 runs in 21 balls from Wanindu Hasaranga. 

Unlucky With The Way Babar Azam’s Getting Out: Saqlain Mushtaq

When Pakistan began their run chase, pacer Dilshan Madushanka let up 10 freebies without bowling a single ball. Madushanka got things going with a no-ball before bowling a string of wide ones, one of which also produced a boundary. 

Though Pakistan’s star hitter Babar Azam once again failed to have an impact with the bat, Pramod Madushan gave Sri Lanka their first dismissal. The captain pushed a wide ball down the leg, which led to Madushanka collecting a catch at short fine leg. Following his dismissal, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman in the next delivery. He was out for 5(6). 

Pakistan could only muster 147/10 in response as the run rate increased and the Sri Lankan players put out an outstanding effort on the field. 

Even though Pakistan’s captain Babar, who has a reputation for being a prolific scorer, only managed 68 runs in the six matches his team played, head coach Saqlain Mushtaq justified the skipper’s decline in performance. 

“As I said before, anybody with a deep eye of cricket will realise that he is unlucky with the way he is getting out,” said Saqlain at the post-match press conference. 

“The way he plays and his work ethic needs no further discussion. He is a world-class player and God save him from the evil eye,” he added. 

Also Read: SL vs PAK: “Catches Win Matches”- Shadab Khan Takes Responsibility For Pakistan’s Asia Cup Final Loss To Sri Lanka