Pakistan will clash against Sri Lanka in a must-win match for qualification in Asia Cup final.
Pakistan was the first team to qualify for the Super 4s and had started well by defeating Bangladesh in Lahore. However, they next clashed with India and in a match that was spread over two days due to rain, were hammered in all departments of the game.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India pummeled the famous Pakistani bowling lineup, as Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma made half-centuries to add 121 runs for the first wicket and then when the play resumed on the reserve day, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli belted unbeaten centuries to help India post 356/2 in 50 overs.
Pakistan’s batting looked all at sea while chasing 357. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with a 50-ball 27 and was one of the four players to score in double digits. Kuldeep Yadav picked 5/25 as Pakistan only managed 128 runs and lost by 228 runs, their biggest loss to India in ODIs.
Kamran Akmal lashed out at Pakistan’s batting approach against India and said that the team management should’ve been proactive in informing the players about the NRR.
“If you want a good performance in the World Cup, if you want to play in the Asia Cup final, and if you have this approach, you will struggle to even beat the Netherlands. What is the management doing? Who told you to bowl first? At least tell players to stay on the crease. Your run rate has suffered badly. You chased 190-odd runs in 40-odd overs against Bangladesh,” the former wicketkeeper-batter said on his official YouTube channel.
“Send messages. The way Shadab, Iftikhar, and Salman got out. You had to tell them to play the full overs and take the score to at least 260-280. They know the PCB won’t ask them tough questions. There’s no game plan, no approach. Everyone has gone on holiday. I’m sorry to say, you’ve performed like school boys against a top team,” he added.
The 228-run loss dented Pakistan’s net run rate heavily and now they will have to defeat Sri Lanka in their last Super Four game to qualify for the final. If rain washes out play, Sri Lanka will go through to the final on better NRR.