Pakistan's T20 World Cup Journey in Doubt After Shocking USA Loss
Babar Azam Admits Bowling, Batting Flaws, Urges Middle Order to Step Up
Pakistani cricket is used to losing to Associate nations in ICC competitions.
They had advanced to the final of the 1999 World Cup, but had lost to Bangladesh. Their unexpected loss to minnows USA in Dallas on Thursday has now cast doubt on their chances of making it to the Super Eight.
In the last tournament held in Australia, Pakistan was defeated by Zimbabwe; however, they bounced back to get to the knockout stages. In the end, they were defeated by England.
In the encounter that could end up being a must-win, Babar Azam's team will be under pressure to perform when they play India on Sunday. The side's equilibrium had been thrown off by Imad Wasim's niggle, and their performance reflected that.
In addition to careless batting and bowling, an uneasy middle order complicated their task against a disciplined and driven USA squad.
In the following six overs, Babar and Shadab Khan combined for 63 runs from a PowerPlay score of 30/3. But in the 13th over, Pakistan lost the wickets of Shadab and Azam Khan in consecutive deliveries, just as they appeared to be in control. Pakistan reached a below-par total of 159 after Babar too perished a few overs later.
To be really honest, you get irritated every time you lose a game. After losing, Babar remarked, "We didn't play well in any of the three departments. "I believe we did not capitalize for six overs, but after the tenth over, we gained momentum, but once more, we lost too many wickets, so your momentum was lost. Therefore, yes, I believe that as a batting unit, we must improve in the middle and towards the end.
"The ball was holding and swinging during the opening six overs. I didn't think it was a different wicket, though, later on. It became somewhat calmer. Given the early start (10.30am local time), there will undoubtedly be some assistance for the quick bowlers. Early in the morning, there was some juice in the pitch.
They thus made use of it and carried out their strategy. Although challenging at first, we managed to overcome it. We lost wickets back-to-back, and I believe it was the turning point. As a professional, however, you have to take the intermediate stage. This isn't a justification. We played poorly, in my opinion," he remarked.
The captain of Pakistan also acknowledged that it was possible for the players to become complacent.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
