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Pakistan Cricket team failed to outplay the Sri Lankan cricket team for the second time on the trot and missed the opportunity to lift the Asia Cup 2022 title on Sunday at Dubai International Stadium. Pakistan batters succumbed to Sri Lankan bowlers as they bundled out for 147, needing 171 to win the summit clash.
While Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga made valuable contributions to the side's historic victory on Sunday, Mohammad Rizwan was the top run-getter for the side as he spent maximum time in the middle but relatively played quick not score runs quickly which might have put pressure on Sri Lanka.
While Pakistan had a troublesome start to their run chase after the dismissal of skipper Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman in quick intervals, Rizwan steadied Pakistan's innings by stitching a crucial stand with middle-order batter Ifthikar Ahmed.
However, both batters failed to play an impactful innings in the second innings as the required run rate kept on climbing. Cricket pundits had highlighted the same and blamed both the batters for playing at a slow strike rate even chasing 171.
Speaking on Star Sports, Pakistan legend Wasim Akram claimed that he was being targeted on social media for criticising Rizwan's similar batting approach against Hong Kong.
"He had done the same thing against Hong Kong if you can recall. I criticised him in a healthy manner, but people attacked me on social media. Pakistan people said that I don’t support Rizwan. If you want my opinion, I will give it very honest one and a straightforward opinion. I am not the guy who will lie about what I see. Black is black and white is white for me," said Akram.
Even former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar nodded in the agreement of Wasim Akram as he the former said that Rizwan's batting approach was a glaring example of Pakistan's approach. "You can’t have batters like Rizwan batting at the strike rate of 104 in the 16th over when you are chasing 171," concluded Manjrekar.
