Pakistan suffered an embarrassing 228-run defeat at the hands of India in the Asia Cup 2023 Super-4 clash at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Monday (September 11).
In a match that went into the reserve day, the Men in Green were outclassed in all aspects of the game.
Opting to bowl first, Pakistan conceded a mammoth 356/2 on the board as Virat Kohli (122* off 94) and KL Rahul (111* off 106) slammed hundreds for India while Rohit Sharma (56 off 49) and Shubman Gill (58 off 52) smashed half-centuries
In reply, Pakistan’s innings folded for a paltry 128 in 32 overs. It was a listless batting performance as no one managed to touch the 30-run mark. Fakhar Zaman top scored with 27.
After the humiliating defeat, Pakistan head coach Grant Bradburn made a shocking comment, saying that he was grateful to the Indian team for what happened over Sunday and Monday.
"My gut feeling is that we are grateful for the gift that has been this last two days," Bradburn told reporters in the post-match presser.
"We don't get to play some of the best players in the world very often. We haven't lost a game of cricket for the last three months, so it's a timely reminder that we need to turn up every day, put in our best on the park, and it's actually a gift in the last two days we haven't done that," he explained his statement.
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav spun a web of destruction around Pakistan batters. The wrist-spinner dismissed Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf en route to his second five-wicket haul (5/25 in 8 overs) in ODI cricket.
"We lost at all facets of the game. No excuses, we weren't good enough in the last two days," Bradburn stated.
Despite the nature of defeat, Bradburn is confident of his team making a comeback in the next Super-4 clash against Sri Lanka on Thursday (September 14).
"Certainly wasn't a surprise. Everyone's seen how lethal our bowling attack is and good teams will counteract that," the coach said.
"Our batting unit hasn't clicked in the past month and again, that is a positive sign. We have full trust in them. We are very consistent with our selection. We know they will come right," he further remarked.
