Babar Azam, captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team looks satisfied after his team managed to register their first win of the marquee event in their 3rd match of the group stage. After losing the USA and India in the first two matches they finally beat Canada to register their first win of the tournament.
Pakistan’s victory gave their campaign new life and gave them a realistic chance, based on the results of the remaining group games, to qualify for the Super 8. After taking early wickets, Babar Azam’s leadership was crucial in anchoring the innings by playing a captain’s knock. Mohammad Rizwan, who produced a timely half-century, complemented his efforts.
Their partnership was essential to Pakistan’s runchase of a Super 8 as they were able to surpass Canada’s small total and increase their net run rate (NRR). Pakistan is now in third place in Group A with two points from three games, thus there is still chnaces for them to advance. They depend on how they play against Ireland as well as how the other games in their group turn out.
Babar Azam Expressing His Satisfaction
“Good for us. We needed this win. Credit to the team. We started well and took wickets with the new ball. We had NRR in the back of our mind. The first six overs are very crucial here. You assess after 6 overs. Then we tried to take on the spinners,” Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Pakistan must first overcome the United States on Friday, the hosts, and then defeat Ireland on Sunday in order to proceed. In the meantime, Canada—which has two points as well—must defeat India on Saturday in order to maintain their hopes of finishing in the top two.
Reflecting on the win, Babar Azam noted the strategic approach his team adopted. “We are going to go with the same mindset. The conditions at Florida should be better from here as well. I got out to the same shot. So, I was angry. I still try my level best,” he added, underscoring his determination and the collective focus of the squad.
Pakistan’s potent pace attack proved too much for Canada’s batting lineup to handle. With a solo effort, Aaron Johnson distinguished himself by scoring 52, his first fifty in a World Cup. Only three additional Canadian hitters scored in double digits, as the remainder of the batting order struggled. The bowling attack was led by Mohammad Amir (2-13) and Haris Rauf (2-26), with vital help from Shaheen Afridi (1-21) and Naseem Shah (1-24), limiting Canada to 106-7.
Pakistan will look to win against Ireland with a big margin and hope other results go their way in order to qualify for the Super 8’s. They would want a favour from their arch rivals India against whom they couldn’t chase a small target of less than run a ball.
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