Irfan Pathan took an indirect dig at Babar over his intent. Pathan reckoned Babar’s knock did not help the Pakistani cause.
Texas: It was a forgetful day for the Babar Azam-led Pakistan team as they lost against USA in the T20 World Cup 2024 match on Thursday in Dallas in a Super Over thriller. Following the loss, Pakistan captain Babar Azam faced heat over his strike rate and intent during his stay in the middle. Babar scored 44 off 43 balls. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan took an indirect dig at Babar for his intent. Pathan reckoned Babar’s knock did not help the Pakistani cause.
“On a fairly decent batting condition as a captain if you are playing 40+ ball inning with 100 strike rate. You aren’t helping your team cause,” Pathan’s post on X read.
On a fairly decent batting condition as a captain if you are playing 40+ ball inning with 100 strike rate. You aren’t helping your team cause. #babarazam
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 6, 2024
“First 6 overs while batting we didn’t capitalise. Back to back wickets always put you on the back foot, as a batter you need to step up and build partnerships,” Babar said at the post-match presentation.
“We were not up to the mark in the first 6 overs with the ball. Our spinners also did not take wickets in the middle overs so these things cost us,” Babar added.
Finally, Babar went on to lavish praise for the USA team.
“Very hard, all credit to USA, they played better than us in all three departments. Little bit of moisture in the pitch, it was also two-paced. As a professional you need to assess the conditions,” he concluded.
With the win, USA went top of Group A with two out of two. Pakistan have to take the blame for being indisciplined with their fielding in the Super Over in which they conceded 10 extra runs. And then with 20 to get of one over to win it, all Pakistan could muster was 14 runs.
Chasing 160 to win, the hosts got off to a brisk start with openers Mounak Patel and Steven Taylor. But then, Taylor perished for 12. Then Andre Gous and the USA captain stitched together a 78-run stand. But then, some good disciplined bowling got the Men in Green back in the game. Eventually, it was Aaron Jones heroics that helped the hosts push the game into a Super Over.
