ODI World Cup 2023: Aakash Chopra, Virender Sehwag lambast Pakistan for making 'lame excuse' after hat-trick of losses

Former India cricketers Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag condemned the Pakistan cricket team for using Naseem Shah’s absence as an excuse after being defeated by Afghanistan in their fifth game of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. The loss was the 1992 champions’ third consecutive defeat, after having being beaten by India and Australia.

Chopra criticized Pakistan and stated that the fans have to question their underwhelming performance in the tournament. The 46-year-old also mentioned Pakistan's dismal outing in the 2023 Asia Cup where the Men in Green finished at fourth place.

“Naseem Shah is a damn good bowler. No doubt about it. But using his absence as an excuse for losing three matches in a row is a cop-out. People from Pakistan on this platform need to ask questions to the PCB instead. Finished Fourth in the Asia Cup. Now, the World Cup. How did it come to this??” Chopra wrote on X.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table

Sehwag, on the other hand, chastised Babar Azam and Co. for not figuring out their shortcomings. The batting legend further lavished praise on Afghanistan for clinching their first ODI win over Pakistan.

“Pakistan is an unpredictable side but the way they have been making lame excuses for their earlier defeats, this was certainly on the cards. Just did not focus on their many weaknesses. What a proud day for Afghanisitan, came close many times but today crossed the line. #AFGvsPAK,” Sehwag’s post read.

For the unversed, Naseem was ruled out of the marquee event with an injury sustained in the Asia Cup. The 20-year-old hurt his shoulder during the rain-marred Super Four clash against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in September. He has undergone shoulder surgery and is making significant progress.