T20 World Cup – Ind vs PAK – Babar Azam: ‘We weren’t at our best’
“In our mind, we wanted to play normally, use the first six overs to bat again [if we had done that] we are winning,” Babar said after Pakistan’s six-run defeat. “But one wicket down and we were not up to par in the first six overs. We were looking for 40 to 45 runs in the first six overs, but we didn’t use them well and yes after ten overs we made the same mistake.”
Having bowled India out for 119, Pakistan did not lose many wickets earlier but neither did they score many runs. They managed 35 for 1 in the powerplay and then removed 72 for 2 in 12 overs. Then, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya set to fall. Hardik removed Fakhar Zaman with an excellent short ball at length, before Bumrah broke Mohammad Rizwan’s stumps with the first ball of his second spell.
In the middle overs (6.1 to 15.6), Pakistan played 29 dot balls and scored 50 runs while losing three wickets.
“We bowled well after ten overs and would have taken 120. A better total here. In batting, we went run-a-ball but unfortunately, we lost back-to-back wickets and there were too many dot balls,” said Babar. “Strategies take it easy, play normally, rotate the strike and try to play one boundary and then get used to it… you get five or six overs. But at that time we had too many dot balls, the pressure was on us. And we lost two to three wickets in a row.
Having lost consecutively to start this World Cup, Pakistan now finds itself struggling to get out of the first round. Babar said they will just look to win their two Group A games, and take it from there.
“Obviously we have to win the last two games. We will always discuss our mistakes but look forward to the next two games.”
Pakistan play Canada on June 11 at this venue and finish the group stage against Ireland on June 16 at Lauderhill.
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