Babar Azam Laments Subpar Bowling Performance For Pakistan's Defeat to Sri Lanka
Babar Azam in the post-match conference | Source: Twitter
Pakistan captain Babar Azam did not mince words about his team's subpar showing against Dasun Shanaka's Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four face-off, a game that was essentially a make-or-break affair.
Pakistan's heartbreak was real as they lost by a narrow two-wicket margin, crashing out of the tournament. In the final over, with Sri Lanka needing eight to win, Zaman Khan put in a heroic effort, but Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 49-run knock made sure Sri Lanka crossed the finish line.
Just before that, the pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi stepped up to the occasion as Babar Azam handed him the ball in the penultimate over when 12 runs were required off the last two overs as he snatched two quick wickets, dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage and conceding only four runs.
Here's what Babar Azam said in the post-match conference:
“We have not been up to the mark in the bowling and fielding. That is why we lost the match. In the middle overs, we did not bowl well. That partnership cost us. We started well, ended well, but middle overs were not great. We have lacked that.”
Here's what Babar Azam had to say about those two final overs of Zaman Khan and Shaheen Afridi in the post-match ceremony:
"We just decided to bowl our best overs and asked Shaheen to bowl the second last over and believed in Zaman. Sri Lanka played very well, better cricket than us.”
Kusal Mendis was the man of the hour for the Islanders, turning Sri Lanka's run chase into a cakewalk by blasting 91 runs off 87 balls. He and Sadeera Samarawickrama also teamed up for a fantastic 100-run partnership for the third wicket.
Sri Lanka will now lock horns with India in the final of the Asia Cup 2023, set to be played on Sunday, September 17, at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
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