Following their defeat against USA in the Super Over during their first match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at Dallas on June 6, Pakistan captain Babar Azam admitted that his team was not up to the mark against the associate nation.
He also highlighted the powerplay overs being an area of concern ahead of their must-win match against India at Nassau County Stadium, New York on June 9.
USA produced one of the biggest upsets in T20 Cricket World Cup history, by shocking Men in Green, who were considered favourites before the start of the match.
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How many runs did Pakistan score in the powerplay vs USA?
The co-hosts led by the bowling of Saurabh Netravalkar, Nosthush Kenjige and Ali Khan, managed to cause early blows to the Pakistan top order, restricting them to just 30 runs with the loss of 3 wickets, at the end of the powerplay.
Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed in the second over for 9(8) after a stunning catch by Steven Taylor, a possible contention for the catch-of-the-tournament, off the bowling of Netravalkar.
In the following over, left-arm spinner Kenjige removed Usman Khan for a run-a-ball 3(3). Fakhar Zaman who came in to bat next was caught at short-fine leg by Taylor, in the 5th over, off the bowling of Ali Khan.
According to Pakistan captain Babar Azam, the loss of three wickets in the powerplay proved to be a big setback for the team. He was speaking at the post-match presentation, where he said:
"First 6 overs while batting we didn't capitalize. Back-to-back wickets always puts you on the back foot, as a batter you need to step up and build partnerships. 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."
How much did Babar Azam score in powerplay during Pakistan-USA clash?
Babar had scored just 4 runs off his 14 balls at the end of the first six overs. At another point in the 10th over, the skipper had scored just 10 runs, with a strike rate of under 42 in his 24 balls, at the crease.
The Pakistan skipper was dismissed LBW by Jasdeep Singh in the 16th over, for a 43-ball 44 run inning. Babar credited the USA team for their efforts and noted that his team should have assessed the conditions better:
"Very hard, all credit to USA; they played better than us in all three departments. A little bit of moisture in the pitch, it was also two-paced. As a professional, you need to assess the conditions."
USA have jumped to the top of the table in Group A with wins in both their matches against Pakistan and Canada. Pakistan on the other hand, will be under pressure when they face India in a must-win match at Nassau County Stadium, New York, on June 9.
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