Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has voiced his criticism over Babar Azam‘s captaincy throughout Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2023 Tremendous 4 defeat to Sri Lanka in a must-win match. Pakistan’s loss on this recreation means they’ve been knocked out of the event, whereas Sri Lanka have secured their spot within the ultimate, the place they may go head-to-head with India on Sunday, September 17, within the summit conflict.
Sri Lanka’s resolute spirit crushes Pakistan’s decided combat
Talking of the sport, Pakistan, after successful the toss, opted to bat however confronted a rain delay, which shortened the competition to 45 overs per aspect. Nevertheless, Fakhar Zaman‘s struggles continued as he managed solely 4 runs. A partnership of 64 between Babar (29) and Abdullah Shafique (52) briefly steadied Pakistan. Nonetheless, after Babar’s departure within the sixteenth over, Pakistan encountered difficulties, discovering themselves at 130/5 after 27.4 overs.
Rain intervened as soon as extra, lowering the sport to a 42-over-per-side affair. Following the rain break, Mohammad Rizwan‘s sensible unbeaten 86 and Iftikhar Ahmed‘s contribution of 47 performed a significant position in Pakistan’s restoration, as they shared a partnership of 108 runs for the sixth wicket. Their aggressive play injected much-needed momentum, guiding Pakistan to 252/7 in 42 overs.
Sri Lanka’s response was anchored by Kusal Mendis, who scored 91 runs, setting a strong platform for the chase. Nonetheless, Iftikhar and Shaheen Afridi‘s late wickets for Pakistan made the competition intense within the ultimate few overs. In the end, it was Charith Asalanka‘s composed innings of 49* that sealed the victory for Sri Lanka.
Additionally READ: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2023 ends in a uncommon equal runs and overs situation
Gambhir asserts Babar Azam’s subpar captaincy in Pakistan’s efficiency
Following the match, in a dialogue on Star Sports activities, Gambhir provided his insights on the sport’s closing phases and criticized Babar for what he deemed as subpar captaincy. The Indian stalwart additionally highlighted perceived flaws in Babar’s fielding placements.
“For me, extraordinarily odd captaincy as properly. There was a 4 hit in Zaman Khan’s over over mid-off and there was one other 4 hit in Shaheen Shah Afridi’s over over mid-off, and each these deliveries had been slower ones,” Gambhir mentioned.
“If you wish to bowl slower ones, hold the mid-off fielder at long-off and produce the third man up. That is very simple captaincy. Think about in the event you had 13 runs left within the final over, it might have been troublesome for Sri Lanka,” the 41-year-old added.
Gambhir criticizes Babar for being clueless throughout Sri Lank’s chase
Gambhir went on to boost questions on Babar’s management, notably in the course of the century partnership between Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, suggesting that the Pakistan captain ought to have pursued a extra assertive method within the center overs.
“You had been permitting the sport to float at one stage. You needed to finish your sixth bowler’s quota. It doesn’t work out like that. When the partnership was growing between Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, it’s best to have introduced in your foremost bowlers and tried to choose up wickets,” the New Delh-born cricketer ellaborated.
“Pakistan may have received this recreation solely by taking wickets. If Sri Lanka had batted until the top, they might have received sooner than they really did. I really feel Babar Azam should be barely higher in his captaincy as ODI cricket shouldn’t be like T20 cricket,” Gambhir concluded.
