PAK vs SL: There Can't Be A Pakistan vs India Match In The Final, It Has Never Happened - Shoaib Akhtar
Published - 15 Sep 2023, 02:45 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:18 AM
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Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar expressed his disappointment over the missed opportunity of witnessing an India-Pakistan final in the history of the Asia Cup. Shoaib Akhtar emphasized that the Pakistan team deserved to reach the final of the ongoing continental tournament.
The Babar Azam-led team has been eliminated from the Asia Cup 2023 after suffering a narrow two-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in their last Super Four match. The Men in Green failed to defend a target of 252 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, September 14.
Zaman Khan Bowled Really Well – Shoaib Akhtar
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Shoaib Akhtar lauded Zaman Khan’s outstanding bowling performance, emphasizing that the team had a chance of winning due to his bowling.
“You’ve seen the match. Pakistan are out of the tournament. The match that was made in favour of Pakistan, was all done by Zaman Khan. He landed the day before yesterday and this boy did excellent bowling in the Pakistan Super League.
“Whatever chances Pakistan had of winning the match were all because of him. Shaheen Afridi also got a few wickets but credit goes to Zaman. He bowled really well,” Akhtar said.
Zaman Khan replaced the injured Naseem in the playing XI against Sri Lanka. The right-arm pacer went wicketless in the match and conceded 39 runs in 6 overs. He gave away just two runs in the first four balls while defending 7 runs in the final over. However, he conceded 6 runs off the last two balls.
Pakistan Deserved To Win To Go To Asia Cup Final – Shoaib Akhtar
The Rawalpindi Express feels that Pakistan could face criticism after failing to make it to the final, as they were considered favourites to win the title in the six-team tournament.
“Pakistan deserved to win go to the Asia Cup final but they are out of the tournament. They can be criticised a lot as they were touted as the ‘favorites’ but are out of the tournament now,” he further added.
“Unfortunately, there can’t be a Pakistan vs India match in the final, it has never happened (kabhi Pakistan, India ka match (final) ho nahi sakta, kabhi hua nahi). This was the chance but Sri Lanka deserved to be the finalists. They were the far better team.”
This Is A Very Embarrassing Loss – Shoaib Akhtar
The 48-year-old labeled the loss as “embarrassing” and urged Babar Azam’s team to improve for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is set to be played in India between October 5 and November 19.
“Having said that, this is a very embarrassing loss. The fact that Pakistan are out of the tournament, doesn’t look nice. Pakistan have a lot to think about. The captaincy needs to sharpen up a bit. I am very disappointed. Can’t say more,” he concluded.
The next assignment for the Babar Azam-led team will be the upcoming ODI World Cup. The Men in Green will participate in two warm-up games as part of their preparation for the 10-team marquee tournament.
