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'They Deserved To Go To The Final' - Shoaib Akhtar After Pakistan's Elimination

image-lmkjqonaSri Lanka thrashed Pakistan out of Asia Cup 2023 (AP Photo)

The legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar lambasted the Pakistan team for their ‘embarrassing’ exit from Asia Cup 2023 on Thursday following their narrow two-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka and advised Babar Azam to up his captaincy before the World Cup 2023.  

Sri Lanka had the upper hand against Pakistan for most of the match, and as long as Kusal Mendis was at the crease, their run-chase seemed like a walk in the park. However, after Iftikhar Ahmed dismissed him, Sri Lanka faced a few bumps, but Charith Asalanka kept his cool and guided his team to victory.

Akhtar, while recognizing Shaheen Afridi's efforts, stressed the importance of crediting Zaman Khan, who filled the big shoes of Naseem Shah, who was ruled out of Asia Cup 2023 due to shoulder injury, for providing Pakistan with a glimmer of hope for a win. 

“You have 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," Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

Furthermore, Akhtar heaped praise on Sri Lanka for putting in extraordinary efforts throughout the tournament and said that they deserve to play in the final of the continental event. 

"Pakistan deserved to 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 'favourites' but are out of the tournament now. 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."

Sri Lanka will now face India in the final of Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday, September 17 at R. Premadasa Stadium. Earlier when both teams met in the tournament during the Super 4 stage, it was Rohit Sharma & Co. who emerged victorious by 41 runs but Sri Lanka put great fight.