T20 World Cup: Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar said that he was proud of his side after the historic 12-run win over Ireland and promised a strong performance against Pakistan.
Saad Bin Zafar issues warning to Pakistan after Canada's historic win (AP Photo)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 8, 2024 00:23 IST
Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar was buoyed by his team's historic triumph over Ireland in the T20 World Cup and set his sights on producing a complete performance against the country of his birth, Pakistan, in their next group match. Delighted by the historic 12-run win over Ireland, Zafar, born in Pakistan's Rawalpindi, vowed to carry the momentum forward and deliver a strong performance against Pakistan in the upcoming match. Canada defeated Ireland by 12 runs, securing their first-ever victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Nicholas Kirton's blistering knock of 49 runs off 35 deliveries, coupled with Shreyas Movva's composed 37 off 36 balls, steered the Canadian innings to a competitive total of 137 for seven.
In response, Ireland launched a spirited chase, spearheaded by George Dockrell and Mark Adair, who forged a commendable partnership of 62 runs. Yet, the Canadian bowlers, led by Jeremy Gordon and Dillon Heyliger, rose to the occasion, delivering crucial breakthroughs under pressure and ultimately constraining Ireland to 125 for seven, clinching a historic triumph for Canada. Reflecting on the monumental victory, Canada's captain Saad Bin Zafar expressed profound pride in his team's accomplishment. "Definitely. A proud moment for me and the team," remarked Zafar during the post-match presentation ceremony. "We wanted to go pace upfront. But the wicket got slower as the game progressed. We gambled with an extra spinner and it worked for us today," he elaborated, emphasizing the strategic adaptability displayed by the Canadian side.
Zafar also underscored the significance of grassroots support for cricket in Canada, highlighting the burgeoning enthusiasm for the sport within the country. "It's important. The cricket is growing in the country and if it keeps going this way, hopefully, it will inspire the young generation to take up this sport," Zafar remarked, alluding to the potential impact of the team's success on fostering cricketing talent domestically.
Looking ahead, Zafar exuded confidence in Canada's prospects, expressing determination to build upon their triumph against Ireland and deliver a strong performance against Pakistan in their next encounter. "It's like one game at a time. One day at a time. We want to enjoy this win and come back stronger against Pakistan," Zafar affirmed, setting the tone for Canada's upcoming challenges in the tournament. With Canada's resounding victory over Ireland signalling their arrival as a formidable force in international cricket, all eyes are now eagerly set on their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan, scheduled on June 11 in New York.
Published By:
Saurabh Kumar
Published On:
Jun 8, 2024
Tune In
English (US) ·