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Picture Credit: Twitter

Pakistan Cricket team faced a shocking 21-run defeat to the Sri Lanka cricket team in the final of the Asia Cup final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday evening. Despite starting off well, Pakistan bowlers leaked too many runs in the first innings which eventually cost them the match when their batters failed under the pressure of a run-chase.

Post-match, Pakistan bowling coach Saqlain Mushtaq revealed shocking details about one of his prominent all-rounders who came out to bat with a concussion during his team's run-chase in the Asia Cup 2022 final. According to Saqlain, spin all-rounder Shadab Khan was bleeding from his ears after a collision with teammate Asif Ali as both went for a catch in the deep, which eventually turned into a six after the ball went over the ropes as the Pakistan fielders failed to complete the catch.

Notably, Shadab was on the floor till the physios rushed out on the ground to check for a concussion before the all-rounder stood up and eventually walked off the field on his own.

The Pakistan bowling coach also shared that the all-rounder was feeling dizzy when he came out to bat. Later, Shadab could only score 8 runs off 6 deliveries before being caught by Danushka Gunathilaka off Maheesh Theekshana in the 17.6 overs.

 

Shadab's drop at the deep cost heavily to Pakistan as Bhanuka Rajapaksa turned the game on its head by scoring blistering 71 off 45 runs in the first innings. Rajapaksa stitched a crucial 58-run stand for six wickets with Wanindu Hasaranga who smashed 36 off 21 balls. The island nation was earlier reduced to 58-5 after Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf struck in the powerplay.

In response, Pakistan batters kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and never appeared in a strong position to chase the target. Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan (55 off 49), and Iftikhar Ahmed (32 off 29) were the only noteworthy performances in the chase before Babar Azam & Co were bundled out in 20 overs, handing a historic win to the Sri Lankan team.