ICC World Cup 2023: Former Indian cricketers criticise Babar Azam for using Naseem Shah as excuse

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Pakistan cricket team slumped to their third consecutive defeat in ICC World Cup 2023 on Monday (October 23) with their latest loss coming against neighbours Afghanistan, who humbled them with their batting effort. Following the defeat, their captain Babar Azam criticised Pak's bowling and rued the absence of Naseem Shah.

Pakistan fans in general of the same point of view that Naseem Shah's availability would have helped them change their fortune at the ICC World Cup 2023. However, former Indian cricketers Aakash Chopra saw that as a lame excuse by the Men in Green, who now stare at an early exit from the tournament.

"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.

ICC World Cup 2023 Schedule and Results

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag felt the writing was on the wall as Pakistan did little to figure out their weaknesses and work on them after finishing fourth in the Asia Cup 2023 earlier this year.
"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 Afghanistan, came close many times but today crossed the line. #AFGvsPAK," Sehwag wrote.

Young pacer Naseem Shah was earlier ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 after hurting his shoulder during the India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka. The 20-year-old has undergone surgery since then and has been recuperating ever since.

Pakistan, whose qualification for the top spot now looks uncertain, will play their next match on Friday (October 27) against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where they lost their last match against Afghanistan.