Aoba Tanaka 
In a stunning upset at the T20 World Cup, Pakistan captain Babar Azam candidly addressed their shortcomings after a thrilling Super Over defeat to the USA. The match was a rollercoaster ride, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the USA clinched a remarkable victory. Babar pinpointed the turning point of the game and reflected on their performance in the post-match press conference.
The game saw Pakistan in dire straits at 26/3 when Babar and Shadab Khan took charge at the crease. Their 72-run partnership provided some stability, but the team faltered again after Shadab’s dismissal while attempting a sweep shot over short fine leg. Babar highlighted this moment as critical, saying, “The first six overs, the ball was holding and swinging. But the more partnerships we build, the better for us. When Shadab and I started the partnership, we got momentum. I think when we lost the wickets back-to-back, that was the turning point.”
Facing unfamiliar conditions against the USA played a significant role in Pakistan’s downfall. Their batters struggled to adapt, and the bowlers couldn’t find their rhythm. Fielding errors further compounded their woes, allowing the USA to maintain pressure until the final three overs.
Babar didn’t shy away from criticizing their performance across all aspects of the game. “We are not playing well in all three departments. We are better than that in the bowling, we are not taking wickets in the first six overs. In the middle overs, our spinner is not taking wickets, then the pressure is on us. But I think the way they finished the game in the Super Over, credit to the US team,” he stated.
Despite the defeat, Babar remained optimistic and acknowledged their poor performance. “To be honest, I am feeling good. If you lose a match, you are always upset. I think we are not playing well, on both sides. Fielding, bowling, and batting,” he noted.
During the match, Pakistan managed to post a total of 159/7, thanks to some late heroics from Shaheen Afridi. In response, the USA seemed well poised to chase down the target, with Andries Gous and captain Monank Patel forging a crucial 68-run partnership. However, Pakistan’s pacers staged a comeback, hitting consistent lines and lengths, leading to a dramatic finish. With five runs needed off the final ball, Nitish Kumar struck a four, sending the game into a Super Over.
Experienced quick Mohammad Amir, who had shined in the penultimate over, was entrusted with the Super Over. Unfortunately for Pakistan, Amir’s performance faltered as he missed his line, bowled a couple of wides, and conceded 18 runs.
In their reply, Pakistan managed only 13/1 in the Super Over, allowing the USA to secure a memorable 5-run victory. The defeat serves as a wake-up call for Pakistan as they aim to regroup and address their weaknesses for the remainder of the tournament.
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