Green Shirts’ win in crucial encounter with Canada keep their hopes alive for Super 8 qualification
NEW YORK: Pakistan secured their first win in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 against Canada in Tuesday’s match, which was a do-or-die situation as only a win could keep the green shirts’ hopes alive for the Super 8 stage..
As per the details, Babar Azam and Co’s seven wicket victory against newcommers Canada came as a breather for the side following their back-to-back losses against the United States (USA) and India in their first two matches of the mega-tournament.
Pakistan chased down a target of 107 runs for a must win at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
The men in the green had a rough start as they failed to hit boundaries in the first four overs. Saim Ayub soon departed for the pavilion after conceding just six runs, leaving the Green Shirts 20-1 in 4.2 overs.
However, Pakistan continued to play cautiously as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan put on a 63-run partnership.
Azam lost his wicket for 33 runs but Rizwan (53 off 53) remained on the pitch and took Pakistan over the line by chasing the target in 17.3 overs.
Earlier, the day belonged to Pakistan bowlers as the Canadian batters had no answers to their attack. Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf all did their part with the ball as the Green Shirts managed to restrict the opponents to 106-7 in New York.
Pakistan squad drew first blood against the opponents as Mohammad Amir bowled Canadian opener Navneet Dhaliwal (4) out in the third over.
The bowlers picked up wickets quickly after the first dismissal, as Shaheen Shah Afridi, who couldn’t take his first over wicket, made progress when Pragat Singh (2) was caught and bowled in the fifth over.
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Haris Rauf conceded 13 runs without taking a wicket in the 7th over but Imad Wasim did the job for his partner by running out Nicholas Singh for just two runs.
Pakistan looked dominant by five wickets as Rauf attempted a hat-trick in the 10th over after sending Ravinderpal Singh to the dugout.
Young fast bowler Naseem Shah picked up his first wicket of the match in the 14th over, at which point Canada was 73/6.
As the wickets continued to fall, Aaron Johnson did his best to keep Canada in the game as he hit Imad for his third six before scoring his fifty.
Canadian captain Saad Bin Zafar was sent packing with just 10 runs.
To stay in the tournament, the national team needs to win today’s match and the next match – both of which are big group matches – as they have lost their opening two matches.
Playing XIs
Canada: Aaron Johnson, Navneet Dhaliwal, Pargat Singh, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Ravinderpal Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Saad Bin Zafar (capt), Kaleem Sana, Junaid Siddiqui, Jeremy Gordon
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir
