'Pakistan been making lame excuses': Virender Sehwag tears into PAK team after Afghanistan's win

Former Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra have criticised Pakistan for using Naseem Shah's absence as an excuse for their underwhelming performance in the ongoing 2023 World Cup. Pakistan had a promising start to their campaign with victories over Netherlands and Sri Lanka, but three consecutive losses to India, Australia, and Afghanistan have put their World Cup hopes in jeopardy.

3 things you need to know
Pakistan have lost three consecutive matches at the World Cup 2023 
Naseem Shah was ruled out of the World Cup due to a shoulder injury
Pakistan are fifth in the World Cup points table

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On October 23, Pakistan suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Aakash Chopra expressed his discontent, stating that Pakistan fans should be asking questions to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rather than using Naseem Shah's absence as an excuse. He highlighted Pakistan's poor performance since the Asia Cup in 2023 and questioned how they had reached this point.

Chopra tweeted: "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??" 

Virender Sehwag, known for his outspoken views, criticised Pakistan for failing to address their shortcomings. He mentioned that while Pakistan is known for its unpredictability, making excuses for earlier defeats was not the way to approach the tournament. Sehwag commended Afghanistan for their historic victory.

"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," Sehwag wrote on X.

Naseem Shah was ruled out of the World Cup due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Asia Cup Super Four match in Colombo. He has recently undergone shoulder surgery.

As it stands, Pakistan are in fifth place in the World Cup 2023 table with four points and a net run rate of -0.400, having won two out of their five matches. Their next crucial match is against South Africa on Friday, October 27, at the Chepauk, and they will need a strong performance to revive their World Cup hopes.