Pakistan suffered a narrow defeat to Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday which saw them bow out of the ongoing 2023 Asia Cup.
Pakistan scored 252/7 in 42 overs of a rain-shortened match, an imposing total, led by Mohammad Rizwan's 86 not out.
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In reply, Sri Lanka were on course in the chase thanks to Kusal Mendis' knock of 91. With 2 runs needed off the last ball, Charith Asalanka stayed calm to score the winning runs and break Pakistan's hearts.
According to Samaa TV, Babar Azam was a frustrated figure after the loss and he vented his anger on his teammates in the dressing room after the Super 4 match against Sri Lanka.
What did Babar Azam say after the loss to Sri Lanka?
Babar reportedly warned his team in stern words according to Samaa TV. He allegedly said, "Khud ko zyada superstars na samjhein, World Cup sir pe hai. Agar hum ek hokar khelte toh match jeet sakte the (Don't think of yourselves as superstars, the World Cup is almost upon us. We could have won the match if we played as a team)."
بابر اعظم نے ڈریسنگ روم میں کھلاڑیوں پر غصہ کیا، اندرونی کہانی سما سامنے لے آیا۔#SamaaTV #News #AsiaCup #pakvindia #AsiaCup23 #Cricket #PCB #zorkajor #ASKZKJ #Cricket23 #indiavpak #BabarAzam @iamqadirkhawaja pic.twitter.com/o1Z6jyXqf1
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) September 15, 2023
'Embarrassing loss', 'psychological dent' - Shoaib Akhtar, Ramiz Raja and others react
Fans and experts alike were disappointed at the result, and prominent Pakistani ex-cricketers took to social media to express their feelings.
Former opener Mohammad Hafeez described Pakistan's tournament as a 'debacle' on Twitter, before saying on Pakistani television that Pakistan needed more wicket-taking threat from their spinners.
Sad & disappointment on the debacle of #AsiaCup2023 for @TheRealPCB. Hoping for better planning & result in @cricketworldcup.
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 14, 2023
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar described the loss as 'embarrassing', and urged the Pakistan team management to not panic and settle on a squad and tactics ahead of the World Cup in October.
Embarrassing loss. Really disappointed .
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 14, 2023
Wake up call guys!!! pic.twitter.com/qDtQWM7YJJ
Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja also spoke about the loss, suggesting that perhaps Pakistan had not recovered from the 'psychological dent' of their heavy 228-run defeat to arch-rivals India, while ex-wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal questioned some of the decisions taken by the team management during the course of the match on his YouTube channel.
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