The tension is palpable in the Super 4s stage of the Asia Cup. Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan are vying for their first victory, making their upcoming Tuesday clash an absolute must-win encounter.
Pakistan’s campaign, in particular, has been marred by more than just on-field challenges. A string of off-field controversies has overshadowed their performances, further denting team morale. The crushing defeat to arch-rivals India on Sunday, their second against the ‘Men in Blue’ this tournament, has left their confidence at an all-time low.
Pakistan fans have been vocal about their frustrations after loss to India.
Pakistan’s journey to the Super 4s was a mixed bag. They kicked off with a strong 93-run victory against Oman on September 12 but then faced a significant setback, falling to India by seven wickets on September 14. Although they managed to secure a 41-run win over the United Arab Emirates on September 17, their inconsistent performance was highlighted by a net run rate of -0.689. Despite accumulating four points from three matches to qualify, they carry immense pressure into this decisive stage.
The recent loss to India ignited a furious backlash from fans, with many taking to social media to express their outrage. One particularly scathing comment lamented, “Forget Babar Azam and Rizwan. They could have easily put up 180-190 runs on this pitch. But our captain lacks any strategic thinking. Decisions on bowling changes are made without any emotion or sense. Now, with two matches left, they might scrape through to the final, only to face another humiliation on the 28th.”
With team morale plummeting and public scrutiny at an all-time high, Pakistan finds itself in a precarious do-or-die situation. The upcoming match isn’t just about cricket; it’s about restoring pride and silencing the critics.