Pakistan Prepared Well And Kept Losing History Out of Mind: Babar Azam

Oct 25, 2021 at 6:23 PM

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Pakistan Prepared Well And Kept Losing History Out of Mind: Babar Azam

Babar Azam has opened up on his country’s first win over India in any World Cup game as they trumped arch-rivals by ten wickets in a much-anticipated clash in Dubai.

The skipper along with Mohammad Rizwan batted India out of the game, resorting to restrain yet assertive batting.

Babar Azam
Babar Azam (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP via Getty Images)

Babar Azam: Pakistan Kept World Cup History Out Of Their Mind

Babar Azam stroked his way to 68 while his opening partner, Mohammad Rizwan, smashed 79 as the Indian bowlers struggled to contain the two batters Earlier, Virat Kohli’s half-century helped India recover from a disastrous start and post 151/7 against Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup match on Sunday.

“We, the openers, kept it simple and built a partnership, and because the wicket was getting better so we just wanted to keep batting till the end, which we did. It won’t get easier just because we beat India. We will take the confidence, but we’re taking it one match at a time, and there’s a long way to go in the tournament,” Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation.

He added that the Pakistan team management paid no heed to ‘history’, referring to his team’s awful record in the past where Pakistan had never beaten India in a World Cup game. The score was 12-0 before they scripted a historic win over arch-rivals India in the 2021 T20I World Cup- a first since 1992.

“We prepared well, and just kept the history out of our mind. We needed quality practice, and warm-up matches, and even our domestic tournament and those games gave us a lot of confidence,” said Babar Azam.

Mohammad Rizwan (Image Credit: Twitter)
Mohammad Rizwan (Image Credit: Twitter)

Also, Shaheen Shah Afridi was on the money as India lost both their openers for the score of just six. Rohit Sharma was out off an inch-perfect yorker while KL Rahul saw his off stumps flying. Babar Azam lauded his pace and spin bowlers for the effort.

“This was the team’s effort, and the early wickets were very helpful. It gave us a lot of confidence and our spinners were very good as well. We applied our plans and got the results.”

The tall paceman dismissed dangerous opener Rohit Sharma with the fourth delivery of the match for a first-ball duck and then had KL Rahul (three) and Virat Kohli (57) in an incisive 3-31 spell off his four overs. His effort restricted India to a below-par 151-7 in their 20 overs.

Captain Babar Azam scored a 52-ball 68 not out while Mohammad Rizwan hit an undefeated 55-ball 79 as Pakistan achieved their first ten-wicket win in all Twenty20 internationals. This was also India’s first ten-wicket defeat in Twenty20 cricket.

Shaheen Shah Afridi: Pakistan Would Look To Carry Momentum From Win Against India And Go On To Win 2021 T20I World Cup

Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi has described his ‘man of the match’ effort as a result of ‘good wishes from my parents.’ He took three wickets in the game, including the big names of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul.

“It is the good wishes of my parents and all Pakistanis. Very happy with my performance. The plan was to bring the ball back in. I was just trying to swing it and I was just looking to give the team a breakthrough. That was what I practiced in the nets as well yesterday. Batting against the new ball was tough. “

“The credit goes to Babar and Rizwan for the way they played. All teams are good in the tournament and we will look to carry this momentum through and go to the finals.”

Shaheen Shah Afridi (Image Credit: Twitter)
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Image Credit: Twitter)

Besides Virat Kohli’s 49-ball 57, Rishabh Pant slammed 39 in 30 deliveries. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to put India on the back foot early. India will next play New Zealand on October 31 while Pakistan will take on New Zealand on October 26.

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Pakistan Prepared Well And Kept Losing History Out of Mind: Babar Azam
Pakistan Prepared Well And Kept Losing History Out of Mind: Babar Azam

Oct 25, 2021, 6:23 PM


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