Last updated on June 15th, 2024 at 11:57 am
After Pakistan lost the fourth and final Twenty20 international in the England series, skipper Babar Azam criticized the middle order of the team. Babar has high expectations for his performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan Series loss to England
Following Pakistan’s T20I series defeat to England, skipper Babar Azam criticized the middle order of the team. Despite getting off to a strong start with the bat, Pakistan was bowled out for just 157 runs in the series’ fourth and final T20 International encounter. Pakistan was bowled out for just 157 runs after being 59/1 during the powerplay. Pakistan ultimately lost the series 2-0 as a result of ducks made by Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the last T20 international match.
Former player Shoaib Malik stated that Babar Azam, the captain of the “Men in Green,” need to bat at number three following Pakistan’s depressing seven-wicket defeat to England in the fourth Twenty20 International match at the Kennington Oval.
Pakistan Lost Series
London [UK],: Former cricketer Shoaib Malik suggested that Babar Azam, the captain of the “Men in Green,” bat at number three following Pakistan’s depressing seven-wicket defeat to England in the fourth t20International match at the Kennington Oval.
In the fourth T20I encounter, Babar struck for 36 runs from 22 balls, or a strike percentage of 163.64. While he was on the crease, he hit 5 fours and one six.
Malik stated that the series was difficult on his official X account. He continued by saying that Pakistan needs a batsman who can switch up the strike throughout a game’s middle overs.
Additionally, he urged Shadab Khan and Azam Khan to maintain their confidence because they are essential members of the “Men in Green” team.
“A challenging series! Recall that we have survived difficult times in the past and emerged stronger! I think Babar ought to bat third! You are the best alternative available to us to rotate strikes in the middle overs; under your leadership, our middle order will perform much better. You two are essential to our team, Shadab and Azam. Play with passion and confidence, and you two will win the game. Keep your spirits up heading into the World Cup; we can win,” Malik posted on X.
After winning the toss, the hosts elected to field first in the match. The opening duo of captain Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan gave the England bowlers some excellent hitting practise, but the spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali put the pressure back on the Pakistani batsmen, reducing them to 86/5. Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Khan led Pakistan to a quick comeback, taking the score to 157/10 in 19.5 overs.
In addition to Moeen and Rashid, Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone also performed admirably with the ball.
With Phil Salt and captain Jos Buttler leading the powerplay attack, which saw Buttler score 78 runs, England blasted away the visitors in the 158-run chase.
Haris Rauf’s quick comeback phase caused a delay in England’s triumph. But with seven wickets remaining, Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook concluded the match in 15.3 overs.
Rashid was named “Player of the Match” for his performance.
We are flexible, everyone knows their role. We have decided each player’s role. If you are not in good form, we are flexible. The way Fakhar dominated after wickets fell … if me and Fakhar had batted for three more overs, it would have been a different ball game,” he added.
With this win, England take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The first game was washed out by rain.
Recapping the match, put to batting first by Pakistan, England lost the in-form opener Phil Salt for just 13 to Pakistan’s returning all-rounder Imad Wasim, with Shaheen Afridi taking a fine catch at long-on. .
England could not really get those big hits that much as wickets kept falling. Buttler was dismissed for 84 in 51 balls, with eight fours and three sixes as the fifth man to go by Haris. Pakistan made a solid comeback to restrict England to 183/7 in their 20 overs.