Asia Cup 2023: S Sreesanth Hits Out At Babar Azam And Co. After Their Asia Cup Exit, Says 'Pakistan Are Not Good Enough To Reach The Finals'

Former India pacer, S Sreesanth took a dig at Babar Azam-led Pakistan after their two-wicket loss against Sri Lanka in the fifth Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 which forced them out of the tournament, and said that the Men in Green are not good enough to be in finals of the Asia Cup 2023.

In the fifth Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023, the game was reduced to 42 overs after rain played a spoilsport. In the first inning, Pakistan gave a target of 253 runs after Abdullah Shafique played a 52-run knock from 69 balls with a strike rate of 75.36.

Mohammad Rizwan also scored 86 runs from 73 balls with a strike rate of 117.81 to keep Pakistan in a better position. At the end of the first inning, Iftikhar Ahmed also scored 47 runs from 40 balls to handle the middle order.

In the second inning, Sri Lanka displayed a stellar performance. Kusal Mendis scored 91 runs from 87 balls with a strike rate of 104.60. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka also played a strong partnership to clinch a win against Pakistan. Samarawickrama scored 48 runs from 51 balls with a strike rate of 94.12. Whereas, Asalanka made 49 runs from 47 balls with a strike rate of 104.26.

They choke in finals: S Sreesanth on Babar Azam’s Pakistan

While speaking to Sportskeeda, the former India pacer hit out at the Pakistani squad and compared them with the South African side and said that both teams choked in the finals. Sreesanth further expects the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 final to be interesting and hopes that Rohit Sharma will clinch a win in the final match of the tournament.

“It won’t happen (anytime soon). Pakistan are not good enough to reach the finals. They are like South Africa. They choke in finals. It is going to be an extremely good final. I expect captain Rohit Sharma to win the game for India in the final,” S Sreesanth said on Babar Azam and co.

While speaking on Washington Sundar who has replaced Axar Patel in the Asia Cup 2023 final squad after he suffered an injury, Sreesanth said Sundar has made a mark whenever he got an opportunity.

“He has done well whenever he has got an opportunity. He might not have done exceedingly well of late, but whatever domestic cricket he played and the TNPL experience that he has had has been good. I don’t expect him to play in the final though, as I feel Kuldeep Yadav will be back in the team,” he added.

In the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, Babar Azam’s Pakistan will lock horns against the Netherlands in their opening fixture of the tournament on October 6th at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.