Pakistan’s bowling coach Azhar Mahmood has defended Babar Azam-led Pakistani players who have been slammed for shopping and dining out after their T20 World Cup loss versus India on Sunday (June 9) in New York.

Babar & Co. opted to bowl first at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York and rode on Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah’s three-fers, along with Mohammad Amir’s 2 for 23, to dismiss India for 119.

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However, the Men in Green only managed 113 for 7 to lose by six runs.

After the game, the likes of Azam Khan were spotted at street eateries in New York whereas some others were seen shopping in the city.

This led to severe criticism of the Pakistan squad, who are at the brink of early elimination at the T20 WC — being held in West Indies and the USA. 

Mahmood, however, defended the Pakistan team while talking to reporters ahead of Pakistan’s next game, versus Canada on Tuesday (June 11).

He said, “Life does not end after a loss.” 

“Have you seen such a thing happening on match day?,” he questioned further. 

To this, the reporter questioned Pakistan’s diet plans and compared them with other teams such as England.

Mahmood responded by saying, “Everybody follows diet, all the cricket teams in the world do. It is only when we lose, we get asked questions like this. If we had won, you wouldn’t have asked this.”

“Our players don’t go to places like English team players go. We can only go to eat food outside for our entertainment,” he added.

Pakistan are on the cusp of early elimination at the T20 WC.

Having started the 20-nation tournament with a shocking loss versus co-hosts USA in a Super Over thriller, they failed to chase down 120 versus Rohit Sharma-led India.

They will now lock horns with Canada on Tuesday before facing Ireland on Sunday (June 16). 

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