Asia Cup 2023: 5 Conclusions from India vs Pakistan Super 4s, 3rd ODI
India defeated Pakistan by a record 228 runs in the Super 4s stage Asia Cup match and here are the five things that became clear after the match.
3. Babar Azam handing the ball to part-time spinner Iftikhar Ahmed in the death overs
Many would say Pakistan was handicapped with Haris Rauf not being able to bowl due to injury and then Naseem Shah was also injured. This meant that captain Babar Azam had to reply on the part-time spin of Iftikhar Ahmed.
Despite having Salman Ali Agha in the XI, Babar gave the ball to Iftikhar Ahmed, who had to bowl in death overs and was taken for runs at will. Ahmed gave 52 runs in 5.2. If that was not enough, his main spinner Shadab Khan went for 71 runs in his 10 overs, giving Babar no relief.
Many questioned why Babar handed Iftikhar the ball in death overs while Salman Ali Agha wasn’t even considered. This was a major gaffe on the part of the Pakistan captain, who looked clueless when Kohli and Rahul started plundering runs at will in the last 10 overs.
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