PAKISTAN CRICKET AND ASIA CUP 2023

 

    It needs too much courage and patience to be a Pakistan Cricket Fan. They are so unpredictable that one cannot even think about the outcome of a game even till the end of the game. Yesterday’s game between Pakistan and Srilanka was yet another reminder of the same. Pakistan was favorites for the #AsiaCup2023 due to its splendid pace attack and good form of #KingBabar. Moreover, Pakistan Cricket team was ranked top in the ICC rating was another booster to PCT fans. The love and unity among the players was another good omen for Pakistan Cricket to be hopeful for the victory in Asia Cup.

    But alas, Pakistan Cricket team did what he did best. Despite showing outclass bowling performance against India in the first match, their bowling collapsed in the second match against India and India managed to score a mammoth total of 357. Although there were injuries during the match but our main bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was helpless against India batting attack. Shubhman Gill hit 6 fours in 12balls he faced of the Shaheen was a blow to the pace attack of Pakistan. In chasing the huge total the Pakistani batsman were clueless about what to do. Sluggish innings by Fakhar was a torture to watch and Babar’s helplessness against spinners was also unbearable to watch. The whole batting lineup of Pakistan crumbles if top three and most importantly Babar Azam does not score runs.



    The last match of Super Four was a do or die situation for both Pakistan and Srilanka. As usual Pakistan was clueless after winning the toss and decided to bat first. PCT fans once again endured same torture Fakhar Zaman and helpless Babar in front of spinners. Abdullah Shafique the replacement of Imam played a good innings but got out just after completing his fifty. If it was not for Rizwan’s brilliant innings coupled with Iftikhar Ahmed’s good knock Pakistan would have never managed to score 250runs in allotted 42overs. Shaheen Shah once again failed to perform in his opening spell and the main reason of his failure was over trying to get a wicket but he bounced back in his last over in which he got 02 wickets and created a hope for the Pakistan’s victory. Zaman Khan’s bowling was above average and after seeing his death over bowling in PSL I hoped that he will give Lankan batsman tough time in the last over which he did superbly. Although Shadab got a wicket but his bowling was not upto the mark and he consistently bowled full toss in this tournament which showed that his bowling form in questionable. Chacha Iftikhar was the triumph card for Babar in bowling too as he managed to get three important wickets and a catch of Asalanka was also dropped of his bowling by Rizwan.

    As I sum up, apart from rain and stubborn attitude of India Cricket Board, the main factors of Pakistan’s early exit from Asia Cup were bad captaincy by Babar Azam and letting out of form players like Fakhar Zaman, Rana Faheem and Shadab Khan in the team. I hope that this Asia Cup could be an eye opener for Pakistan Cricket Board and that they could pick a right team for the upcoming mega event, the World Cup 2023 and should lift the trophy. Just wanted to remind you all the Pakistan was top in the ICC ranking before this tournament.

#AsiaCup2023 #AsiaCup #PakistanCricket #Srilanka #India #BCCI #PCB #PCT #Rain #WorldCup2023 #AsiaCup23 #Iftimania #Chacha #BabarAzam #ShaheenShahAfridi



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