Mohammad Rizwan’s composed half-century steered Pakistan to their first win of the T20 World Cup 2024, keeping their hopes alive in the tournament. In a tense low-scoring encounter at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, Pakistan chased down a modest target of 107 set by Canada, clinching victory with seven wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare.
After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to field, hoping to capitalize on the early morning conditions. Shaheen Afridi took the new ball, but initially struggled to find his rhythm. However, Pakistan’s bowlers quickly adapted and began to apply pressure on the Canadian batsmen through disciplined line and length. The standout performer for Canada was opener Aaron Johnson, who provided a solid foundation with a courageous 52 off 44 balls, featuring four sixes and four boundaries.
Johnson’s daring approach kept Canada’s hopes alive as he steadily accumulated runs. However, once he was dismissed in the 14th over with the score at 73, wickets began to tumble. The Pakistani bowlers, led by a collective effort rather than individual brilliance, managed to restrict Canada to a meager 106.
Pakistan’s pursuit of the target began with Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub opening the innings. Unfortunately, Saim’s struggle for form continued as he managed only six runs off 12 balls before being dismissed in the fifth over. With the pressure mounting, captain Babar Azam joined Rizwan at the crease. The duo aimed to rectify the batting collapse experienced in their previous match against India, where they had squandered a strong position.
Babar and Rizwan adopted a cautious approach, focusing on building a partnership without taking undue risks. Babar contributed a steady run-a-ball 33 before falling prey to a Canadian bowler. His dismissal brought Fakhar Zaman to the crease, who couldn’t make a significant contribution either, scoring just four runs before being caught at point.
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Despite the loss of partners, Rizwan remained unperturbed, anchoring the innings with skill and patience. With a run-a-ball 53, he was the linchpin around which the Pakistani innings revolved. His determination ensured that Pakistan remained on track despite occasional hiccups.
Usman Khan then joined Rizwan in the middle. Together, they navigated through the remaining overs with calculated risk-taking and intelligent running between the wickets. The tension broke as Usman flicked a fuller delivery from Gordon towards square leg, taking a crucial double that secured Pakistan’s victory with 15 balls to spare.
This much-needed victory gave Pakistan their first points in the tournament after three matches, providing a significant morale boost ahead of their final league game against Ireland on June 16. The win also highlighted Rizwan’s pivotal role in stabilizing the team’s batting line-up under pressure.
Reflecting on their performance, Pakistani team management emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes. The disciplined bowling attack and the calm demeanor of the batsmen in the face of adversity were key takeaways from this match. Brushing off the inconsistency and jitters seen against India, Pakistan showcased a more mature and composed side, capable of handling pressure situations better.
The victory not only kept Pakistan’s semi-final hopes alive but also underscored the importance of having experienced campaigners like Rizwan delivering when it mattered the most. Canada, on the other hand, could take heart from Johnson’s stellar innings but would need to address their middle-order vulnerabilities to progress in future matches.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Pakistan to see if they can build on this momentum and qualify for the knockout stages. The forthcoming match against Ireland will be crucial, as it will determine their fate in this unpredictable and fiercely competitive T20 World Cup. While the journey so far has been a mixed bag, the win against Canada could very well be the turning point Pakistan desperately needed.
