The Asia Cup 2023 has been a rollercoaster of emotions for cricket enthusiasts, with thrilling encounters and unexpected twists. Amidst the excitement, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi recently voiced his discontent regarding Pakistan’s lineup changes and batting order decisions during the Super Four match against Sri Lanka. In a game deemed a must-win for Pakistan, the Men in Green faced a significant batting collapse, leading to Afridi’s critique of the team management’s choices.
Pakistan grappled with relentless rain interruptions as the Super Four match unfolded in Colombo, further complicating their task. The batting order raised questions about Pakistan’s strategy, particularly the struggles of key batters like skipper Babar Azam, Mohammad Harris, and Mohammad Nawaz. When the match was halted due to rain, Pakistan struggled at 130/5 in 27.2 overs, and the situation seemed dire.
However, amidst the challenging circumstances, Pakistan witnessed a remarkable recovery. The partnership of Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed proved pivotal. They orchestrated a stunning 108-run partnership for the sixth wicket, steering Pakistan to 252/7 in the allotted 42 overs, which had been curtailed due to rain interruptions.
Shahid Afridi, known for his straightforward opinions, took to his official platform to express his thoughts on Pakistan’s performance. He questioned whether Pakistan had made the right choices in the batting order, particularly in such a crucial match. Afridi emphasized that, in his view, the batting order did not align with the demands of the game.
“Did Pakistan miss the trick? We could have made better choices in the batting order. What do you guys think? In my opinion, this was not the best batting order according to the situation,” Shahid Afridi wrote on his official platform.
Did Pakistan miss the trick? We could have made better choices in the batting order. What do you guys think?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 14, 2023
In my opinion this was not the best batting order according to the situation. @Asiacup2023
One decision that garnered significant criticism was the inclusion of Fakhar Zaman, who had been struggling with the bat recently and wasn’t even part of the initial playing XI announced earlier. Despite his recall after Imam-ul-Haq’s injury, Fakhar could only manage 4 runs, adding to the concerns of Afridi and fans alike.
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Following a DLS revision, Sri Lanka was set a target of 252 runs in 42 overs. Despite the valiant efforts of the Pakistani bowlers, the defending champions secured a narrow victory by just 2 wickets. This victory ensured Sri Lanka’s place in the final match of the continental event, where they are scheduled to face India at the same venue on Sunday, September 17.
Shahid Afridi’s critique highlights the passion and scrutiny that cricket in Pakistan evokes. The batting order decisions and lineup changes made during the Super Four match against Sri Lanka have sparked debates among fans and experts.
