Pakistan entered the Asia Cup 2023 as the favourites and in fact, became the first team to qualify for the next round, after thrashing Nepal and sharing a point with India in a washed-out affair in Kandy. They continued the momentum in their Super Four opener against Bangladesh in Lahore. However, they looked completely out of rhythm in their next face-off in Colombo which was a re-match with the arch-rivals.
The India vs Pakistan Super Four tie lasted two days as the rain pushed the game to the designated Reserve Day. But it eventually turned out to be a one-sided game as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul pummeled the Pakistan bowlers with a 233-run record partnership, powering India to a mammoth total of 356/2 in 50 overs.
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Pakistan’s batting looked all at sea while chasing 357. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with a 50-ball 27 and was one of the four players to score in double digits. Following the dominance of the ace attack, it was Kuldeep Yadav’s five-wicket haul that floored an injury-stricken Pakistan.
Meanwhile, former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal lashed out at Pakistan’s batting approach against India. In his latest YouTube video, he insisted that the team management should’ve been proactive in informing the players about the NRR.
“If you want a good performance in the World Cup, if you want to play in the Asia Cup final, and if you have this approach, you will struggle to even beat the Netherlands. What is the management doing? Who told you to bowl first? At least tell players to stay on the crease. Your run rate has suffered badly. You chased 190-odd runs in 40-odd overs against Bangladesh,” the former wicketkeeper-batter said on his official YouTube channel.
“Send messages. The way Shadab, Iftikhar, and Salman got out. You had to tell them to play the full overs and take the score to at least 260-280. They know the PCB won’t ask them tough questions. There’s no game plan, no approach.
“Everyone has gone on holiday. I’m sorry to say, you’ve performed like school boys against a top team,” he added.
The 228-run defeat jolted Pakistan’s successful campaign in the continental event, causing a massive fall in their Net Run Rate (NRR). After slipping to the third spot with the worst NRR of -1.892, they will fight Sri Lanka in their last Super Four game on Thursday in Colombo. Babar Azam & Co are in a must-win situation as another defeat will knock them out of the Asia Cup.
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