After Pakistan’s exit from the 2023 Asia Cup following their defeat to Sri Lanka in the Super Four stage in Colombo on Thursday, Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistan pacer, shared his sentiments and couldn’t help but lavish praise on the emerging Pakistan pacer, Zaman Khan.

Akhtar, while acknowledging Pakistan’s elimination, highlighted the significant contribution of Zaman Khan, who was drafted into the squad due to injuries to Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

“You’ve seen the match. Pakistan is out of the tournament. The match that was made in favor of Pakistan, it was all done by Zaman Khan. Whatever chances Pakistan had of winning the match were all because of him. Shaheen Afridi also got a few wickets, but credit goes to Zaman. He bowled really well,” Akhtar praised on his YouTube channel.

While expressing his admiration for Pakistan’s rightful place in the Asia Cup final, Akhtar acknowledged that Sri Lanka outperformed them on the crucial day.

“Pakistan deserved to go to the Asia Cup final, but they are now out of the tournament. They will be criticized a lot as they were touted as the ‘favorites.’ Unfortunately, there won’t be a Pakistan vs. India match in the final, it has never happened. This was the chance, but Sri Lanka deserved to be the finalists,” he further added.