Gautam Gambhir Slams Babar Azam For ‘Abnormal Captaincy’ Towards Sri Lanka

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has criticized Babar Azam‘s captaincy in his group’s loss to Sri Lanka within the Tremendous 4 recreation of the continuing Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan crashed out of the continental championship after shedding the sport by 2 wickets (DLS technique).

Pakistan’s hopes of profitable the Asia Cup for the third time and first time since 2012 resulted in a disappointing method. The Males in Inexperienced had began their marketing campaign in a promising method earlier than shedding two of their three Tremendous 4 video games. They suffered a humiliating 228-run defeat in opposition to India earlier than taking place in opposition to Sri Lanka.

Batting first, Pakistan recovered from 130 for five to publish a aggressive whole of 252 for 7 within the allotted 50 overs. Mohammad Rizwan starred with the bat for the Babar Azam-led aspect by scoring an unbeaten 86. Opener Abdullah Shafique (52) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47) additionally performed essential knocks for the Males in Inexperienced.

Simply a few days in the past, India had defended 213 runs in 50 overs in opposition to Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, Pakistan didn’t defend 252 in 42 overs. Sri Lanka remained in management proper from the primary ball and finally crossed the ending line on the ultimate ball. The house aspect did endure a number of setbacks in direction of the top however held their nerves to cross the road.

Gautam Gambhir criticizes Babar Azam:

Talking on Star Sports activities, Gautam Gambhir didn’t mince his phrases as he criticized Babar Azam. He referred to as Babar Azam’s captaincy unusual within the ultimate overs of the match and identified the errors of the Pakistan captain. Identified for talking his thoughts, Gautam Gambhir criticized Babar Azam for his poor area placements.

“For me, extraordinarily unusual captaincy as nicely. There was a 4 hit in Zaman Khan’s over mid-off and there was one other 4 hit in Shaheen Shah Afridi’s over over mid-off, and each these deliveries had been slower ones,” stated Gautam Gambhir.

“If you wish to bowl slower ones, hold the mid-off fielder at long-off and convey the third man up. That is very simple captaincy. Think about in case you had 13 runs left within the final over, it might have been tough for Sri Lanka,” he added.

Talking additional, Gautam Gambhir questioned Babar Azam’s techniques when Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama had been batting. The duo shared 100 runs for the third wicket to place Sri Lanka within the driver’s seat. The previous cricketer said that Babar Azam allowed the sport to float with the intention to full his sixth bowler’s quota.

“You had been permitting the sport to float at one stage. You wished to finish your sixth bowler’s quota. It doesn’t work out like that. When the partnership was creating between Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, you need to have introduced in your essential bowlers and tried to choose up wickets,” stated the World Cup winner.

“Pakistan might have received this recreation solely by taking wickets. If Sri Lanka had batted until the top, they might have received sooner than they really did. I really feel Babar Azam should be barely higher in his captaincy as ODI cricket is just not like T20 cricket,” he added.

The win has sealed a spot within the ultimate for Sri Lanka. The Islanders will lock horns in opposition to India within the title decider on Sunday (September 17) on the R. Premadasa Stadium.