Babar Azam Expresses Frustration After Pakistan’s Loss to Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023

Following Pakistan’s loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, team captain Babar Azam expressed his frustration in the dressing room. The defeat resulted in Pakistan being knocked out of the tournament, finishing at the bottom of the Super Four table.

Unhappy with Team’s Performance

Babar Azam reportedly criticized his teammates for their poor performance, which didn’t sit well with some players, including pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. Afridi interrupted and suggested that Azam should appreciate the players who performed well. However, the captain’s reaction was not positive, leading to a tense situation in the dressing room.

This outburst comes as a concern ahead of the ODI World Cup, scheduled to begin on October 5. In recent years, Babar Azam had been seen motivating his teammates and encouraging them not to blame each other for losses. This incident reveals a change in his approach following the defeat to the defending champions.

In addition to the team’s disappointing performance, Pakistan faces injury concerns. Ace pacer Naseem Shah is currently dealing with a shoulder injury, raising doubts about his availability for the upcoming ODI World Cup. He sustained the injury during the Asia Cup, causing him to miss the match against Sri Lanka.

Potential Replacements

If Naseem Shah is unable to participate in the ODI World Cup, Pakistan may have to consider replacements. While fellow pacer Haris Rauf is also recovering from an injury, he is expected to be fit for the mega tournament in India. However, if Naseem Shah is sidelined, Mohammad Wasim Jr or Zaman Khan are likely candidates to fill his spot in the 15-member squad.

Babar Azam’s frustration and the team’s disappointing performance in the Asia Cup raise concerns about Pakistan’s readiness for the upcoming ODI World Cup. The team will need to address these issues and regroup to compete at their best in the prestigious tournament.