PAK vs CAN Live Score, T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan vs Canada, latest updates, free streaming, scorecard, New York
In a high-stakes match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, Pakistan revived its T20 World Cup 2024 campaign by securing a decisive seven-wicket victory over Canada. This win comes after Pakistan’s rocky start in the tournament, having suffered unexpected defeats against both the USA and India. Facing the possibility of an early exit, the Men in Green, led by skipper Babar Azam, rose to the occasion.
Pakistan went into the match amid severe pressure. Their performance so far had been less than stellar, drastically different from what fans had anticipated given their strong cricketing pedigree. Against Canada, a team captained by Saad Bin Zafar, Pakistan had to demonstrate their cricketing prowess to stay alive in the tournament.
The match began with Canada winning the toss and opting to bat first. The Canadian side, which had registered one victory against Ireland and a loss to the USA, showed confidence in their approach. However, Pakistan’s bowlers were in peak form from the onset, unsettling the Canadian batsmen early on. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf worked in tandem to produce a disciplined bowling display, managing to consistently hit the right lengths and keep the pressure on.
Canada’s innings struggled to gain momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Openers Harsh Thaker and Rayyan Pathan failed to provide a solid start, succumbing to the formidable Pakistani pace attack. The middle-order attempted to stabilize, with Navneet Dhaliwal and Ravinderpal Singh trying to rebuild the innings, but the persistent pressure from Pakistan’s bowlers proved too challenging. Shadab Khan’s spin further added to Canada’s woes, as he picked crucial wickets in the middle overs.
In spite of a resilient effort, Canada managed to post a total of just 132 runs on the scoreboard. Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/19, while Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan provided ample support with two wickets each. The Pakistani fielding unit also contributed significantly, with some sharp catches and ground fielding keeping the Canadian score in check.
Chasing a modest target of 133, Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start.
. The early loss of Mohammad Rizwan, who was dismissed cheaply, raised fears of another collapse. However, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman steadied the ship with a crucial second-wicket partnership. Babar showcased his class and experience, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted fifty. His calm presence at the crease was instrumental in guiding Pakistan through the danger zone.
Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive strokes complemented Babar’s steadiness, and the duo put on a 70-run stand that laid a solid foundation for the chase. Even after Fakhar’s dismissal, caught behind off the bowling of Romesh Eranga, the Pakistani camp exuded confidence. Youngster Haider Ali then paired with his captain to ensure there were no further hiccups.
Babar Azam’s unbeaten 64 off 51 balls was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting effort, while Haider Ali contributed a quickfire cameo that further reduced any pressure. With only a handful of runs needed to seal the victory, Pakistan crossed the finish line in the 18th over, securing a seven-wicket win that re-ignited their World Cup hopes.
The victory was significant not just for the points but for the morale of the team and its supporters. Babar Azam, in the post-match presentation, acknowledged the importance of this win. “This was a must-win game for us, and I’m proud of how the team responded. We’ve had a challenging start, but this win keeps us in the tournament, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum in the upcoming matches.”
For Canada’s part, captain Saad Bin Zafar admitted that they were outplayed but remained optimistic about their chances in the remaining fixtures. “It’s a tough loss, but we have to regroup and learn from our mistakes. There are still games left, and we’ll come back stronger.”
As the tournament progresses, Pakistan will seek to carry this winning momentum into their subsequent matches, aiming to secure a place in the knockout stages. Their next encounter is crucial, and fans will hope that the resurgence witnessed against Canada is a sign of better things to come.
