NEW DELHI: Pakistan captain
Babar Azam
expressed frustration over his dismissal in the
T20 World Cup
match against Canada, despite his team securing a crucial 7-wicket victory. The win keeps Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the Super 8 stage alive.
Playing at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, Pakistan faced a tricky surface that challenged their batting lineup.
While cruising towards victory, chasing a modest target of 107, Pakistan encountered a brief stutter when Babar was dismissed for a score of 14.
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Babar's dismissal, a result of an edge to the wicketkeeper while attempting a late cut, mirrored his exit in the previous match against India. The Pakistan captain, visibly disappointed, slammed his bat into the ground, highlighting his frustration with the recurring pattern.
Despite the anger over his dismissal, Babar remained confident in his shot selection. In the post-match presentation, he acknowledged the need for success while reiterating his commitment to continuously striving for improvement.
"I got out to the same shot. This is my shot but sometimes you need success. So, I was angry. I still try my level best," Babar stated.
The match held immense significance for Pakistan, who were desperate for a win to boost their net run rate (NRR) and keep their tournament hopes alive. The team's performance reflected this urgency, with bowlers restricting Canada to a below-par total of 107/7.
Pakistan's chase, anchored by
Mohammad Rizwan
's unbeaten 53, ensured a comfortable victory with 17 balls to spare. The win propelled their NRR to 0.19, still trailing the USA's 0.63, highlighting the importance of their final group stage encounter against Ireland.
Pakistan's next challenge awaits them on Sunday at the Central Broward Regional Park in Florida, where they face Ireland in a must-win encounter to determine their fate in the tournament.
Babar acknowledged the pressure of NRR, admitting it weighed on the players' minds. He emphasized the team's awareness of the crucial first six overs in setting the tone for the innings.
"Good for us. We needed this win. Credit to the team. We started well and took wickets with the new ball. We had NRR on the back of the mind. The first six overs are very crucial here. You assess after six overs. Then, we tried to take on the spinners. We are going to go with the same mindset. The conditions at Florida should be better from here," Babar added.
(Inputs from ANI)
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