Pakistan captain Babar Azam admitted he and his opening partner Mohammad Rizwan were not up to the mark against South Africa in the 36th match of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday despite winning by 33 runs (DLS method).
Rizwan could only manage four runs after he chopped the ball back onto the stumps while Azam was caught brilliantly by Kagiso Rabada after making only six runs. Both Rizwan and Azam have been consistent performers for Pakistan but they have failed to bring their best to the table in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
However, Mohammad Haris, playing his first match of the T20 World Cup, was able to hit the blocks as he smashed 28 runs from 11 balls to give the much-needed impetus to his team. But Pakistan found themselves in a rut at 43-4 after losing their top four batters.
However, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan were able to get their team back on track. Ahmed scored 51 runs off 35 balls while Khan completed his fifty off just 21 balls. Pakistan was able to post a par score of 185 runs on the board because of these two batters.
On the other hand, South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 108-9 after 14 overs. The Proteas’ target was revised to 142 after the rain had halted play after nine overs.
Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation, “Very happy the way team performed. We are not up to the mark – me and Rizwan. But the way Haris played – a different player – set the momentum. And the way Shadab and Ifti finished the innings – outstanding. To be honest, everyone is my best player. Everyone is my match-winner. The first two losses cost us. But the way we have played the last two matches. As you know cricket is a funny game. You never know.”
On the other hand, Shadab Khan rated his knock of 52 as the best on the International stage. The leg-spinner also scalped two wickets and thus he was awarded the Player of the Match.
Khan said after the game, “I have played (batted) like this in PSL, but this is a World Cup match, so it’s my best innings. The pitch was a bit slower compared to Perth. I tried to bowl at the stumps, and it paid off. I like to bat up the order, but it depends on the situation and what the team requires, so I am ready to bat anywhere.”
Pakistan will play their next match against Bangladesh at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
