New York, NY – June 11, 2024:
Pakistan at last got their T20 World Cup campaign off the ground with a hard-fought 7-wicket win over Canada at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. After losing their opening two matches to USA and India, Pakistan desperately needed a win to keep their Super 8s hopes alive.
Canada Bat First, Set Modest Target
Babar Azam opted to bowl first after winning the toss, and the Pakistani bowlers justified his decision. Mohammad Amir and Haris Rauf were on target early, picking up two wickets to restrict Canada’s scoring. Despite a fighting half-century (52 runs) from Aaron Johnson, the Canadian batting lineup struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. They were eventually bundled out for a below-par score of 106 runs in their 20 overs.
Pakistan Stutter in Chase, But Rizwan Steers Them Home
Chasing a modest target, Pakistan looked shaky in the powerplay. The new opening duo failed to fire, and they lost wickets at regular intervals. However, experienced campaigner Mohammad Rizwan (53 runs) held his nerve and anchored the chase. He found support from skipper Babar Azam (26 runs) during a crucial partnership that steadied the innings. Though Pakistan lost wickets at critical junctures, they eventually crossed the finish line with 7 wickets and 8 balls to spare.
Player of the Match: Mohammad Amir
For his impressive bowling performance, Mohammad Amir was adjudged the Player of the Match. He picked up three wickets for just 19 runs in his four overs, stifling the Canadian batting at the start.
Pakistan’s Road Ahead
This victory keeps Pakistan’s Super 8s hopes alive. Still, they need to win their final group match against Ireland and hope for favorable results elsewhere to qualify for the next stage. Canada’s defeat, on the other hand, makes their qualification highly unlikely due to their negative net run rate.
Talking to media:
Babar Azam (Pakistan Captain): “It was a much-needed win, but we made it a bit tougher than it should have been. We need to learn from our mistakes and come back stronger in the next game.”
Saad bin Zafar (Canada Captain): “Disappointed with the loss, but credit to Pakistan for bowling well. We’ll look to finish the tournament on a high against Netherlands.”
