PAK vs SA: Babar Azam & Co. Making Lame Excuses - Virender Sehwag Not Surprised By Pakistan's Loss vs Afghanistan

Former India batter Virender Sehwag has criticized Pakistan for making excuses after every defeat as he shared his views on their shock loss to Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Afghanistan thrashed Pakistan by 8 wickets to condemn them to their defeat in a row in the ongoing competition. The Afghans also registered their first-ever ODI win over their bitter rivals after suffering seven losses in a row.

Batting first, Pakistan scored 282 for 7 in the allotted 50 overs. Captain Babar Azam was the top-scorer after playing a 74-run knock while Abdullah Shafique (58) also scored a fifty. At one stage, Pakistan were reeling at 206 for 5 before a 73-run stand between Iftikhar Ahmed (40) and Shadab (40) guided them to a competitive total.

But the score was just not enough for Pakistan to end their losing streak in the competition. Afghanistan chased down the 283-run target with utmost ease. They crossed the finishing line in the 49th over by losing just two wickets. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) and Ibrahim Zadran (87) shared a brilliant stand of 130 runs for the opening stand to lay the platform for the successful chase.

Rahmat Shah (77*) then shared a 60-run stand with Zadran before the latter departed. Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (48*) shared an unbeaten stand of 96 runs to take their team to a historic victory.

Virender Sehwag on Pakistan’s loss:

Soon after the game ended, Virender Sehwag took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his views on the match. While many consider it an unexpected result, Virender Sehwag does not. The India great stated that the loss was very much on the cards for Pakistan because of their attitude.

He stated that they looked set for a defeat after making lame excuses following earlier defeats. Virender Sehwag also congratulated Afghanistan for the win, writing:

“Pakistan is an unpredictable side but the way they have been making lame excuses for their earlier defeats, this was certainly on the cards. Just did not focus on their many weaknesses. What a proud day for Afghanistan came close many times, but today crossed the line.”

Pakistan is an unpredictable side but the way they have been making lame excuses for their earlier defeats, this was certainly on the cards. Just did not focus on their many weaknesses. What a proud day for Afghanisitan, came close many times but today crossed the line. #AFGvsPAK pic.twitter.com/axdkdSZVFo

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 23, 2023