—— Green Shirts’ win in crucial encounter with Canada keep their hopes alive for Super 8 qualification
Sports Desk
NEW YORK: Pakistan clinched their first victory at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 in Tuesday’s match against Canada, which was a do-or-die situation, as only a win could keep the Green Shirts’ hopes alive for the Super 8 stage.
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 the 107-run target to emerge victorious in the must-win clash at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
Men in Green had a tough start as they failed to score a boundary in the first four overs. Saim Ayub soon departed for the pavilion after scoring just six runs, leaving the Green Shirts 20-1 in 4.2 overs.
However, Pakistan continued to play with caution as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan formed 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 fist over wicket, made progress when Pragat Singh (2) was caught and bowled in the fifth over.
Haris Rauf conceded 13 runs in the 7th over without taking a wicket but Imad Wasim did the job for his mate as he dismissed Nicholas Singh for just two runs in a run out.
Pakistan looked dominant with five wickets in hand as Rauf sought a hat-trick after sending Ravinderpal Singh to the dugout the 10th over.
Young pacer Naseem Shah struck, taking his first wicket of the match in the 14th over, with Canada at 73/6 at this point.
As the wickets kept tumbling, Aaron Johnson tried his best to keep Canada in the game as he deposited Imad for his third six before scoring a fifty.
Canadian skipper Saad Bin Zafar was sent packing with just 10 runs in the bag.
The national side needs to win today’s match and the next one — both of which are high-stake group clashes — to stay in the tournament, as they lost two of the opening matches.
Playing XIs
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
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
