The Pakistan cricket team had a successful run in the Asia Cup before Sri Lanka upset them in the championship match. Bhanuka Rajapaksa's 45-ball 71, unquestionably one of the best blows under duress in T20s in recent years, helped Sri Lanka first emerge from the pits to reach 170 for 6 from a woeful 58 for 5. As if it weren't enough, Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 147 as they were cruising along at 93 for 2. In the final, Pakistan's skipper and No. 2 T20I batter Babar Azam was out for five while world No. 1 T20I batter Rizwan (55 off 49 balls) served as the sheet anchor by hitting the occasional boundary.

Now, former Pakistan cricket team player Aaqib Javed has criticised the duo. "These two openers are not going to win you tournaments … Take the two openers [Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan], No.1 and No.2 players in the world. But such a player should know what to do. The vice-captain [Rizwan] plays for 15 overs – starts playing when the asking rate is 8 and leaves after taking it to 17! [in the Asia Cup final that Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka]," Aaqib Javed said.

"Paanch saaal mey ghuma-ghuma ke [in 5 years] Iftiqhar Ahmed has come back 4 times. Same with Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah. Until you have an eye on it (feeder system below the national teams) and see who can come up to replace, this will keep happening … I don't know how we are going to get out of this situation." Pakistan are gearing for the 2022 T20 World Cup and will face Indian in their first match on October 23.