In a high-stakes encounter at the ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistan faced a crushing defeat at the hands of arch-rival India. The match, held in Ahmedabad, saw India secure their record eighth consecutive win against Pakistan in World Cup history.
Captain Babar Azam, in the post-match ceremony, opened up about the team’s performance, expressing disappointment at the missed opportunity and shedding light on the critical moments that led to their downfall.
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The Collapse:
Pakistan’s innings started on a promising note, with a solid partnership taking them to 155-2. However, a sudden collapse saw the team lose eight wickets for just 36 runs, failing to capitalize on the strong start.
Babar Azam acknowledged the impact of the collapse, stating,
“We started well with a good partnership. We just planned to play normal cricket and build partnerships. Suddenly there was a collapse and we could not finish well. Not good for us, the way we started, our target was 280-290 but the collapse cost us. The total was not good.”
Babar Azam’s assessment highlighted the team’s initial plans and aspirations, emphasizing that the unforeseen collapse had a profound impact on their ability to set a competitive total.
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Bowling Struggles:
Defending a below-par total, Pakistan’s bowlers faced challenges right from the start. Babar Azam admitted that their performance with the new ball was not up to par. Despite their efforts to take wickets, they were unable to contain the Indian batting lineup.
Babar commented,
“We were not up to the mark with the new ball. The way Rohit played was outstanding. We just tried to take wickets, but that didn’t happen.”
Babar Azam’s candid acknowledgment of the bowling struggles reflects the team’s awareness of their shortcomings in a crucial aspect of the game.
India’s Dominance:
On the other hand, India’s stellar performance catapulted them to the top of the ICC World Cup 2023 points table. With three consecutive wins and a remarkable net run rate of 1.821, India showcased their dominance in the tournament. Rohit Sharma’s exceptional innings of 86 off 63 balls played a pivotal role in India’s seven-wicket victory.
With the loss to India, Pakistan finds itself in the fourth position on the points table with a net run rate of -0.137. The team faces a daunting challenge ahead as they prepare to take on Australia on October 20.
Babar Azam and his team will need to regroup, address the shortcomings identified in this match, and come back stronger to stay in contention for the coveted ICC World Cup.
