Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, acknowledged the team’s errors in their inaugural match of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
In the clash against the USA at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Thursday, Pakistan suffered a loss in the first World Cup game, ending in a tie. The subsequent Super Over saw Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir bowling first, with the USA securing a victory with a margin of five runs after scoring 18-1. Reflecting on the match during the post-match presentation, the 29-year-old batter lamented the team’s failure to seize opportunities in the initial overs, attributing back-to-back dismissals as setbacks that disrupted their rhythm.
Babar emphasized the necessity to improve the bowling performance, particularly in the first six overs, and highlighted the importance of spinners in the middle overs. He credited the USA team for their superior performance across all facets of the game, acknowledging their dominance.
Regarding pitch conditions, Babar noted the presence of moisture and varying pace, emphasizing the need for adaptability from professional players.
Despite the defeat, Babar remained optimistic about the team’s prospects in future matches.
Earlier in the game, left-arm pacer Netravalkar’s economical bowling figures of 2-18 limited Pakistan to a total of 159/7. The USA’s innings concluded dramatically with a last-ball four by Nitish Kumar off a full toss from Haris Rauf, resulting in a tie at 159-3. In the Super Over, Mohammad Amir’s bowling was marred by wides, allowing the USA to score 18 runs. Despite a valiant effort, Pakistan fell short of the target in the final ball of their Super Over, securing victory for the USA.
