Mohammad Amir proved to be the star with the ball as Pakistan restricted Canada to 106 after 20 overs as Pakistan secured their first victory in the T20 world Cup to keep their Super 8s hopes slightly alive. After taking crucial wickets with his slower balls vs India, Mohammad Amir proved why he is vital bowler for Pakistan in this World Cup especially in conditions favorable for bowlers.
Even as Pakistan were looking for a big win to catch up with USA on the Net Run Rate, and couldn’t find ample big hits through the middle overs, the 63-run stand off 62 balls between Babar Azam and Rizwan ensured that Pakistan found themselves in a comfortable position to close the contest. In contrast, Canada scored 10 runs less and lost two additional wickets during this phase, which ensured that they couldn’t get the late flourish in their innings.
Pitch and Toss
“Glorious day. It is going to be warm with the highest being 33 degrees. We have 70 meters on the right, 66 on the left and 73 down the ground. We are on a fresh pitch today. There is a lot of moisture in the pitch and the grass is nicely rolled in. As a team and as a bowler you would want to bowl first if you win the toss. It won’t be easy and 130-135 will be a good total.
You don’t have to do much as a bowler and just have to bowl in the right areas. This is not the pitch to bowl slower balls, seam-up and get that lateral movement,” reckon Wasim Akram and Ebony Rainford-Brent.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bowl making one change in his playing XI replacing Iftikhar Ahmed with Saim Ayub. Canada skipper Saad Bin Zafar batting first made one change to their squad bringing in Dilpreet Bajwa is replaced by Ravinderpal Singh, who comes in for his first World Cup appearance.
Canada make positive start as Mohammad Amir strikes in Powerplay
On a pitch where run-making has been difficult, Aaron Johnson got going with a couple of boundaries against Shaheen Afridi. The aggressive approach continued against Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir as well before the latter eventually had Navneet Dhaliwal cleaned up with a brilliant incoming delivery. In the last over of the powerplay, Shaheen returned and had Pargat Singh dismissed with a delivery that rose awkwardly and caught the glove on its way to the slip fielder. Babar won another crucial toss and had no hesitation in fielding first.
He would have hoped for “first-over Shaheen Afridi” to do his magic. But instead, it was first-over Aaron Johnson setting the stage alight. He flicked the first ball of the innings, a shin-high full toss, through mid-on for four, before pumping Afridi straight down the ground for four more next ball.
This was the first time the first two balls in a men’s T20 World Cup match had been hit for boundaries. The third ball would also have gone for a straight four if not for the sluggish outfield. Johnson then smashed Naseem Shah over backward point with Pakistan looking off the boil.
Mohammad Amir was the only one who got his length spot on from the get-go and he was duly rewarded. Navneet Dhaliwal picked him for a four through point first ball but Amir exacted revenge by sending a searing in-dipper that flattened Dhaliwal’s middle stump. Afridi and Naseem, too found their lengths soon. And though Johnson continued to play his shots, there were plenty of plays and misses. And Afridi changed his bowling end and had Pargat Singh edging to first slip as Canada reached 30 for 2 after six overs.
Pakistan bowlers control proceedings in the middle overs
Canada were pegged back early when the in-form batter Nicholas Kirton was caught short of his crease courtesy a fine direct hit by Imad Wasim in the first over of the powerplay. In the 10th over, Haris Rauf dismissed Shreyas Movva and Ravinderpal Singh cheaply to further dent Canada.
However, Johnson’s attacking play, which included four sixes enroute his half-century, ensured that the scoreboard kept moving. A couple of lousy efforts on the field by Pakistan also aided Canada’s cause. Looking to break the shackles in the 14th over against Naseem, Johnson was cleaned up.
The most crucial moment of the Canada innings came in the seventh over, when Nicholas Kirton, their best batter so far in this competition, was run out by a direct throw from Imad Wasim from the covers. Johnson stayed put, but Canada kept losing wickets at the other end after that.
Haris Rauf struck twice in three balls when he removed Shreyas Movva to claim his 100th T20I wicket and then had Ravinderpal Singh caught at slip – Canada, after their bright start, had slipped to 55 for 5 after ten overs. Johnson deposited Wasim twice over the ropes in two overs, the second hit fetching him his sixth T20I fifty off 39 balls. But he failed to carry on, falling for 52, his stumps rattled by Naseem.
Canada lower order put up a fight to score 106 runs in 20 overs
With not much batting remaining, Canada cleverly played out the last six overs, cautiously turning the strike over and taking the odd risk. Saad bin Zafar, Kaleem Sana and Dillon Heylinger ensured that they played out the remaining overs and added some valuable runs to take the side to a competitive total even if marginally below-par.
Canada failed to inject any momentum into their innings after that, as Pakistan only conceded 29 runs in their last five overs, which included two fours and a six. In all, Canada faced 76 dot balls, the most in an innings at the men’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan start slow in chase in the Powerplay
Despite being aided by a flurry of wayward deliveries, Pakistan failed to cash in on it adequately. After making a watchful start against Kaleem Sana’s moving deliveries and Jeremy Gordon’s pace, Saim Ayub departed getting an edge to the ‘keeper, soon after Dhaliwal spilt a chance at short fine leg. Canada took a review for a caught behind against Babar Azam early on, but couldn’t get the on-field umpire’s decision overturned.
ESPNCricinfo’s forecaster gave Pakistan a 93% of winning the game at the halfway stage. But the pitches in New York have often disrupted calculations.
Kaleem Sana gave away five wides in the first over, but apart from that, Canada were really tight with their lines. Ayub tried his shots before edging Dilon Heyliger behind. Babar, at No. 3, then had a tense moment when an appeal for a caught behind down leg was sent upstairs. But replays suggested the ball had gone off his pad.
The only four off the bat in the powerplay was struck by Rizwan in the sixth over. In comparison, Canada had hit five fours in their first six overs. According to ESPNCricinfo’s logs, 31 of the 36 deliveries from Canada in the powerplay were on a length or short of a length. And the Pakistan batters struggled to deal with them.
Babar, Rizwan steady chase in the middle overs
Despite trying several times to go down the track and hit the bowlers, Rizwan and Babar rarely succeeded. Nonetheless, they kept the scoreboard ticking with several singles and twos and went on to add 63 runs for the second wicket. The Canadian bowlers did manage to trouble the duo by keeping tight lengths even as the batters attempted to disturb it.
However, the continued to spray a few deliveries in wayward lines which allowed them to pick some easy runs just when the pressure was on. Towards the end of the middle period, Babar was crammed with a length delivery which he edged to the ‘keeper.
Junaid Siddiqui and Saad Bin Zafar had the Ireland batters in a spin in Canada’s previous game, but Babar and Rizwan weren’t having any of it. Rizwan first swept Saad’s full delivery through deep-backward square-leg, before Babar walloped Junaid for a six straight down the ground. The two added 31 runs between overs six and ten, and put the chase right back on track.
Rizwan ensures Pakistan’s cruise to the target
Rizwan, who had batted through the powerplay and the middle overs often looking scratchy, took the attack to Junaid Siddiqui in the 16th over. The most promising of his attacks was an inside-out six through extra cover. With only three runs to win, Fakhar Zaman got a leading edge while looking to play Gordon through the line and was caught. Nonetheless, Usman Khan helped Pakistan over the line with a flick towards deep square leg which got him an easy two.
They kept the scoreboard ticking over before Babar fell edging Heyliger behind the stumps. Babar walked off in disgust. But Rizwan ensured he stayed till the end. He reached his 29th T20I fifty off 52 balls. It was the slowest by a Pakistan batter in the format but such were the conditions, and the win was more important.
Usman Khan hit the winning runs as Pakistan reached home in 17.3 overs. The win did not lift their NRR above that of USA, but it wasn’t a bad start in trying to turn the qualification race in their favour somewhat after back-to-back losses.
Presentations and Road Ahead
Saad Bin Zafar the loosing Canada skipper said : Was a bit disappointing. The wicket was difficult to bat on. The Pakistani bowlers bowled well. We were about 25-30 short. We needed to get some early wickets. We don’t get to play high calibre teams. Johnson played well. Kirton’s run-out was crucial. Lot of positives to take from this game.
Babar Azam the winning Pakistan skipper said: Good for us. We needed this win. Credit to team. We started well and took wickets with the new ball. We had NRR on the back of the mind. The first six overs are very crucial here. You assess after 6 overs. Then we tried to take on the spinners. 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.
Mohammad Amir is Player of the Match for his 2 for 13 said: As a bowler, you have to adapt to any conditions. I was just trying to hit the right areas, the conditions were demanding. As a professional you’ve to be clear in your role, I know I have to bowl with the new ball and at the death, I’m ready for anything. I bowled the away swinger for 3-4 deliveries, I then decided to swing it back in (on the dismissal of Dhaliwal). Much needed win, we’ve to win the next match and then who knows
Pakistan have opened their account. They have two points on the board now. Canada remain on two points as well with a game remaining against India. Pakistan have a game to go against Ireland. Rizwan has shepherded another win for his team. He batted with caution and ensured that he saw off the chase. This win has taken their NRR to 0.19, USA’s is 0.63. USA have two more games against India and Ireland.
This game was always about a bit of maths that I have mentioned. Coming to the game, Pakistan’s bowling once again set it up for their batters. This time Rizwan and Babar didn’t take a chance. Babar got out with a few runs needed. Then Fakhar also fell. But Usman Khan scored the winning runs. For Canada, they needed 20-25 runs more. And needed someone to deliver a few wickets with the ball but that didn’t happen.
There was finally something at the T20 World Cup for Pakistan to be happy about as they produced a strong all-round show to record their first win of tournament, beating Canada by seven wickets in New York. The win was set up by the fast bowlers, who combined to pick up six wickets to restrict Canada for 106 for 7 in their 20 overs despite an Aaron Johnson 44-ball 52 – that score was quick by the standards at the New York venue, and Canada’s total was not insignificant at all.
In reply, Pakistan stumbled in the powerplay. They had brought in Saim Ayub in place of Iftikhar Ahmed, and Ayub walked out to open with Mohammad Rizwan, thus splitting the Rizwan-Babar Azam partnership up top. The decision did not pay dividends, though, as Ayub fell for 6 off 12 balls.
But Babar and Rizwan brought their experience into play, adding a 63-run stand off 62 balls for the second wicket. Babar fell with victory in sight, but Rizwan stayed put, crafting an unbeaten run-a-ball 53 to give Pakistan victory 15 balls to spare.
Group A is turning out to be the group of death. May be Sri Lanka in group D won’t agree. And so would New Zealand from group C and England from group B. That’s how the tournament has been. The wickets have favored the bowlers more than the batters and few upsets have completely altered the permutations and combinations.