PAK vs SL: "We Could Have Made Better Choices In The Batting Order" - Shahid Afridi Slams Team Management
Published - 15 Sep 2023, 11:54 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:18 AM
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Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi expressed his disappointment with the changes in Pakistan’s lineup for the Super Four match against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023. Shahid Afridi said that the team management had not selected the correct batting combination in the must-win game.
The Babar Azam-led team made five changes to their playing XI from their previous encounter against India. Imam ul Haq and Saud Shakeel, who were expected to play the game, missed the match and were replaced by Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique in the virtual semi-final encounter.
Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed Formed A Crucial Partnership
Fakhar Zaman’s one gain failed to deliver as he was dismissed for just four runs at the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday, September 14. Abdullah Shafique scored a half-century despite wickets falling from the other end. They were at 130/5 in 27.2 before the rain interruption in Colombo.
Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed rescued the team from collapse by adding a 108-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Rizwan scored an unbeaten 86 runs off 73 balls, while Iftikhar contributed 47 runs off 40 balls. The team reached 252/7 in the allocated 42 overs in the rain-curtailed match.
Did Pakistan Miss The Trick? – Shahid Afridi
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi took his official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle to criticize Pakistan’s batting lineup, suggesting that they missed a trick while selecting the players.
“Did Pakistan miss the trick? We could have made better choices in the batting order. What do you guys think? In my opinion this was not the best batting order according to the situation. @Asiacup2023,” wrote Afridi.
https://x.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1702339408115195968?s=20
Charith Asalanka Guides Team To Final In Asia Cup 2023
Following a DLS revision, Sri Lanka were set a target of 252 runs in 42 overs. The defending champions secured a narrow victory by just 2 wickets, securing their spot in the final match of the ongoing tournament, scheduled to take place at the same venue on Sunday, September 17.
Kusal Mendis played a crucial knock of 91 runs off 87 balls with the help of eight boundaries and a six. Mendis was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock. Charith Asalanka scored the match-winning run when the team needed six runs off the last two deliveries.
Also read: PAK vs SL: Shahid Afridi Comes Down Brutally On Babar Azam and Co After Shambolic Defeat vs India
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