Pakistan has 2 wins and 3 losses from 5 matches in CWC 2023 thus far.
Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag have criticized the Pakistan cricket team for using Naseem Shah’s absence as an excuse for their lackluster performance in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Pakistan kicked off their World Cup 2023 campaign with victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, but their fortunes took a downturn as the Men in Green suffered three defeats in a row against India in Ahmedabad, Australia in Bengaluru, and Afghanistan in Chennai.
Now Pakistan faces the prospect of not qualifying for the CWC 2023 semi-final. And with this in consideration, former India cricketers Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag suggested Pakistan address the broader issues to make a comeback, instead of making excuses for their poor show.
Sehwag wrote on X, “Pakistan is an unpredictable side but the way they have been making lame excuses for their earlier defeats, this was certainly on the cards. Just did not focus on their many weaknesses. What a proud day for Afghanistan came close many times, but today crossed the line.”
Meanwhile, Chopra said, “Naseem Shah is a damn good bowler. No doubt about it. But using his absence as an excuse for losing three matches in a row is a cop-out. People from Pakistan on this platform need to ask questions to the PCB instead. Finished fourth in the Asia Cup. Now, the World Cup. How did it come to this??”
Notably, Naseem was ruled out of the ongoing CWC 2023 after he sustained a shoulder injury in the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo. He recently underwent shoulder surgery and is undergoing a rehab process.