Pakistan, who were the favourites to win the Asia Cup 2022 title after India were eliminated in the Super 4 stage, failed to live up to their tag and succumbed against a well-drilled Sri Lankan team. Dasun Shanaka's men clinched their sixth continental glory after registering a convincing 23-run win against the Men in Green.
After reducing Sri Lanka to 58/5, Pakistan were in a commanding position and it looked like the two-time champions will increase their trophy count. But inspired by Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka thwarted the challenge posed by Pakistan in an emphatic fashion.
In hindsight, several former Pakistan cricketers and savants of the sport have criticised Babar Azam's captaincy in the final. Former Men in Green captain Moin Khan is the latest to join the bandwagon as he lambasted Babar for 'negative' captaincy.
"The way Sri Lanka came back after losing 5 wickets and how Rajapaksa played like a senior pro, I think it was a commendable performance and I want to congratulate them," Moin told PTV.
"I think when they (Pakistan) got a wicket through a part-time bowler then they should have backed him and also kept a slip. As Rashid (Latif) said Babar should have bowled with his strike bowler. This what common sense is when you are captaining a side.
"Don't know why he was trying to stretch the match. He (Babar) must have started thinking about the death overs. When you start getting negative, you can't plan. You play attacking cricket when you are positive. So I think we played into Sri Lanka's hands by not setting attacking field and bowling our strike bowlers when we had the upper hand.
"They bowled badly and the bowling changes were equally bad," Moin opined.
