Pakistan was pretty ordinary in their innings against Sri Lanka. The batters played reckless shots and the team kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Former players Wasim Akram and Gautam Gambhir came down hard on the Babar Azam-led team for taking the last game lightly.
The two teams have already qualified for the final of the Asia Cup 2022.
“Rubbish batting from Pakistan as they took the game lightly. They should have taken it seriously to practice ahead of the final on September 11 but the batsmen were in a hurry,” said Akram.
“If winning is a habit, losing can also become a habit if things are not taken seriously. Pakistan was pretty ordinary as they didn’t take Sri Lanka as a threat. This could hamper their chances in the finale,” said Gambhir.
Meanwhile, the Men in Green were bowled out for 121 in 19.1 overs. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga took three wickets, while Maheesh Theekshana and Pramod Madushan added two wickets each, respectively.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan in the last Super 4 stage game on Friday as both teams tested their bench strength ahead of meeting again in the Asia Cup final.
Sri Lanka brought in batter Dhananjaya de Silva in place of the struggling Charith Asalanka in the top order. Right-arm fast bowler Pramod Madhusan was awarded his T20 debut and replaced Asitha Fernando.
Pakistan rested fast bowler Naseem Shah after his heroics with the bat at No. 10 lifted Pakistan to a sensational one-wicket win over Afghanistan on Wednesday. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan also sits out.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali and leg-spinner Usman Qadir got their first games in the tournament, replacing Shah and Shadab respectively.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have already qualified for Sunday’s final after beating Afghanistan and India in the Super 4 stage.
Lineups:
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Hasnain.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madhusan, Dilshan Madushanka.