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Pakistan were condemned to their third straight loss in the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the hands of Afghanistan at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on Monday, October 23.
Afghanistan's chase of a 283-run target was spearheaded by openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The duo laid a solid foundation, which was further bolstered by Rahmat Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi's unbeaten innings of 77 and 48 runs, respectively. This victory adds to Afghanistan's impressive streak in the tournament, having previously defeated the defending champions, England.
The side's debilitating loss did not go down well with some of the former legends of their national team, who blasted the side and their fitness issues on Live TV.
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Speaking on the A Sports show 'The Pavilion', former star pacer Wasim Akram completely took apart the Pakistan players and their fitness levels with their poor fielding being one of the biggest reasons for the loss.
"It was embarrassing today. After losing just two wickets, they managed to score 282 runs. Look at the fitness levels of the players. We have been shouting on the show that for two years these players have not had fitness tests. Should I take their names individually? It looks like they have been eating 8kg nihari everyday!"
Akram also added that former Pakistan coach Misbah-Ul-Haq had it right with his fitness regime, "You are getting paid professionally to play for your country. There has to be a certain criteria. I am with Misbah on this. When he was coach, he had that criteria. Players hated him. Fielding is all about fitness and that is where we are lacking.
Pakistan currently sits in the fifth spot. Yet, after three successive defeats, a further loss to South Africa this week might jeopardise the 1992 champions' prospects of reaching the knock-out rounds.
This defeat leaves Pakistan hanging in the balance with four points and a net run rate of -0.400. The 29-year-old Babar said that the Men in Green still have a decent chance of turning their fortunes around in the tournament. "You never know. It's cricket. Anything can happen. We will try to play our best cricket till the end. There are a lot of matches left, we will try to win all the matches. We will try to overcome our mistakes," he stated.
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