Team Neemopani
Pakistan captain Babar Azam shared his thoughts following his team’s narrow six-run defeat to India in a low-scoring Group A match of the T20 World Cup 2024, held on Sunday at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Match Overview
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first on a pitch known for its variable bounce. Their decision seemed promising as bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf claimed three wickets each, successfully limiting India to 119 runs. Rishabh Pant emerged as the top scorer for India with a swift 42 runs, which provided a crucial edge for his team.
In response, Pakistan’s innings struggled to gain momentum. Despite a steady 31 from Mohammad Rizwan, regular fall of wickets hindered their chase. Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s impressive spell, yielding figures of 3-14, played a pivotal role in restricting Pakistan to 113-7, leading to India’s victory.
Babar Azam’s Post-Match Comments
During the post-match presentation ceremony, Babar Azam candidly discussed the team’s performance and the critical moments that led to their defeat.
“I think they bowled well after 10 overs. We were chasing 120, and were run a ball for the first 10 overs, but back-to-back wickets and then [we left too much in the end],” Azam stated. He emphasized the simplicity of their tactics, aiming to play normally and rotate the strike at a rate of 5-6 runs per over. However, the pressure mounted with too many dot balls and the quick loss of three key wickets.
Key Moments and Strategy
Reflecting on the strategy, Azam mentioned, “We were not up to the mark in the first six overs, we had targeted 40-45 runs, and we have not capitalized properly. The pitch looked decent, and the ball came nicely. It was a bit slow, with some balls bouncing more, but you expect it with a drop-in pitch.”
Despite being in a favorable position halfway through their innings, Pakistan faltered in building crucial partnerships. “We didn’t bat well enough. Halfway through, after 10 overs, we were in a good position; you expect guys to stitch partnerships. We were 15-20 runs short, and every run matters. We were looking at 140, but the bowlers did the job,” Azam explained.
Indian Perspective
Indian captain Rohit Sharma also commented on the match, praising his team’s resilience and the never-say-die attitude that helped them secure the win. “It was a good wicket compared to the one we played on here [against Ireland].”
Group A Standings
With this victory, India is on the verge of securing a spot in the Super 8, having won both their opening matches. In contrast, Pakistan remains without points, having also lost to the United States in their first game. The team will need to regroup and address their batting issues to stay competitive in the tournament.
As the T20 World Cup 2024 progresses, both teams will look to refine their strategies and build on their performances. For Pakistan, the focus will be on converting starts into substantial partnerships and maintaining composure under pressure.
