Pakistan’s Missed Opportunity
Firstly,Pakistan suffered a setback in their T20 World Cup2024 Super 8 aspirations after a disappointing loss to arch-rivals India in New York. Despite bowling India out for a modest total of 119, Pakistan failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya’s impressive bowling restricted Pakistan to 113/6 in 20 overs, handing India a crucial victory.
Ramiz Raja’s Critique
India’s “Favor”
Secondly,Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja expressed frustration over Pakistan’s inability to chase down a small target, stating that India “did them a favor” by playing below their potential. He believed that India’s erratic performance prevented them from reaching a more challenging total, which could have been difficult for Pakistan to chase.
Mohammad Rizwan’s Dismissal
Ramiz specifically criticized Mohammad Rizwan for his dismissal, highlighting his unnecessary shot selection at a crucial stage of the chase. Rizwan’s dismissal, attempting a risky pull shot against Bumrah, cost Pakistan dearly and shifted the momentum in India’s favor.
Lack of Temperament
However,Ramiz emphasized the importance of temperament in chasing a modest total, stressing that Pakistan needed just one solid partnership to secure victory. He questioned why Pakistan “let it slip” when they were in control of the chase, attributing it to a lapse in temperament.
Must-Win Situation for Pakistan
Furthermore,with their campaign hanging in the balance, Pakistan faces a must-win situation in their upcoming game against Ireland. A defeat would spell the end of their journey in the group stage, adding pressure on the team to deliver a strong performance.
India’s Path Forward
Meanwhile, India aims to secure their passage into the next round with a victory against USA. The team is focused on maintaining their momentum and securing crucial wins to advance in the tournament in T20 World Cup2024.
