Would have bowled out Haris Rauf: Rashid Latif questions Babar Azam's tactics in Asia Cup final

Former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif questioned the tactics of Babar Azam during Sri Lanka's innings in the Asia Cup final. Latif also slammed the Pakistani batters for being slow while chasing the target of 171 runs.

Rashid Latif has questioned Babarr Azam's tactics while Sri Lanka was batting and said that he should have bowled out Haris Rauf when Pakistan had the advantage.

Rauf and the Pakistan bowlers had the Sri Lankan batters on the ropes as the score was 58 for 5 at one point. But Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga came together and took the game away from Azam and his men. The Pakistan batters were unable to chase the target of 171 and Sri Lanka won the game and the Asia Cup by 23 runs.

Speaking to PTV, as quoted by Indian Express, Latif said that Hasaranga took the game in his hands with Rajapaska also assisting with runs.

“When they were 58 for 5, it seemed the target would be 120-130. But Wanindu Hazaranga received pressure of Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Runs kept coming from 11th over on to the 15th. He took the game in his hands and Rajapaksa too started,” said Laitf.

The former skipper said that the biggest bowling was with the bowling and he would have bowled out Rauf. He said that he was surprised to see Azam go for a part-time spinner at that time. The former cricketer said that he would have kept on attacking with pacers.

Latif also slammed the Pakistan batters for batting slowly during the chase.