The second game of the highly anticipated three-match T20I series between Pakistan and World XI turned out to be a thriller.
If Pakistan held the aces in the first game of the series, this time around the Coalition outfit led by Faf du Plessis struck back to level the series at 1-1. With just one game left, the final game has everything at stake for the teams. The game began on a similar note, as the hosts batted first and notched up a decent total on the board. Man of the Match in the first game, Babar Azam once again stood out for Pakistan, as his knock of 45 anchored the innings.
Azam this time around though, couldn’t capitalize on his start, and once he was dismissed, Pakistan couldn’t build on the start. Defending 176, the hosts were taken aback by the sheer class of Hashim Amla, and the sheer destruction of Thisara Perera towards the end. Thanks to five colossal sixes from Perera, the World XI outfit got home with just a delivery to spare. With just one game remaining now, the final promises to be another thriller.
Post the loss, Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed admitted that such crisp situations would aid the young bowlers.
“We have to give credit to the World XI,” said Ahmed. “Hashim bhai played beautifully. This is a learning opportunity for all of us; it will teach the bowlers how to bowl in tough situations to class players like Hash.”
Calling his side’s fielding as sloppy, Ahmed said,
“We were a bit sloppy in the field, and that cost us. Had the execution been better, we could have won this match. You should also have a slower length ball in your kitty apart from the yorkers.”