WATCH: Shoaib Malik slams Babar Azam after his dismissal vs South Africa in ODI World Cup 2023

The ODI World Cup 2023 tournament has been one to forget for the Pakistani cricket team so far. The 1992 World Cup winners have just won two games and lost four, with their latest loss coming against South Africa. Former skipper Shoaib Malik wasn’t impressed seeing Babar Azam’s dismissal on Friday in Chennai. 

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It was a night filled with heartbreaks as Pakistan was beaten by South Africa by one wicket. Once the winning runs were hit, it was clear that the Pakistani team was totally at a loss for words. 

Babar Azam and his team will now have to win their final three games of the tournament. Pakistan will also have to depend on the other results going their way if they have to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. 

Shoaib Malik loses his cool at Babar Azam –

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Pakistan skipper Babar Azam had scored his third half-century of the ODI World Cup 2023 tournament. Tabraiz Shamsi’s ball had Babar Azam going for a paddle scoop and there was a huge appeal from the bowler.

At first, Quinton De Kock did not seem convinced, but the matter was sent upstairs. The third umpire found a huge edge as Babar Azam was given his marching orders. The Pakistan skipper was out after scoring 50 runs from 65 balls.

#MoinKhan points out a technical error in #BabarAzam's sweep shot on which he lost his wicket against #TabraizShamsi.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #ThePavilion #CWC23 #FakhreAlam #WasimAkram #ShoaibMalik #MisbahUlHaq #PAKvsSA pic.twitter.com/DyxuHI8ry9

— ASports (@asportstvpk) October 27, 2023

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During the mid-innings break, Pakistani cricket experts, which included former skippers Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik, dissected the dismissal. Shoaib Malik said, “If Babar had not swept before 50, then it was not required even after he crossed 50. We have never seen Virat play this shot. He backs his strengths to play spin. That was a mistake from Babar tactically. Don’t play such shots if you don’t play them regularly.”

Pakistan were well on course for a good score in what was a must-win game for them. Babar Azam had previously scored half-centuries versus India and Afghanistan, both coming in losing causes. Once he was out, Pakistan lost a few more wickets before Saud Shakeel and Shadab Khan came together for an 84-run stand. 

Saud Shakeel top scored with 52 runs, while Shadab Khan scored 43 runs with the bat. Tabraiz Shamsi, playing in place of Kagiso Rabada, found the Chennai track to his liking to claim four wickets. Pakistan will next take on Bangladesh in their 7^th game on Tuesday in Kolkata.