Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf claimed on Tuesday that captain Babar Azam and a few other players were reportedly reduced to tears after their humiliating 8-wicket defeat against Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 in Chennai.
Pakistan suffered their third defeat on the trot on Monday after Afghanistan gunned down the challenging target of 283 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.
The Afghans rode on superb knocks from Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), Rahmat Shah (77*) and captain Hasmatullah Shahidi (48*) to register their first-ever ODI win over Pakistan.
Their spinners had earlier restricted Pakistan to 282 for 7 in 50 overs after half-centuries from Babar Azam (77) and Abdullah Shafique (58).
Pakistan's campaign derails after India loss
The defeat has left a massive question mark on Pakistan's chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. Their campaign was heading on the right track after the first three games which they won against the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but it derailed after massive defeats against India, Australia and Afghanistan.
Babar Azam under fire
Babar's captaincy has come under scanner after their recent performances but Yousuf refused to blame the skipper for the defeats.
"I heard Babar Azam cried after the defeat against Afghanistan last night. It's not only Babar's fault, the entire team and management is involved. We are with Babar Azam in this tough time and the entire nation is with him," Yousuf said on a Pakistani TV show.
'It Will Hurt Us A Lot'
Babar himself admitted that the loss has hurt them badly and was visibly upset with his team's performance with the bat, ball and especially their ground fielding.
"I hope we learn from this loss (against Afghanistan). It will hurt us a lot. We will try to talk about positive things. Whenever you do fielding, it is only with attitude. And I don't see any attitude from the team. You need to put in extra effort and be fit.
"We will have to go with a different plan, a different mindset, we will try to bring a positive vibe in the team," Babar said after the match.
