Legendary Pakistani fast-bowler Wasim Akram came down heavily on the national team after they went down to USA co-hosts in the Super Over in the ongoing T20 World Cup, underlining the increased difficulty to Super Eights under Babar Azam's leadership.
The match at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas produced a terrific Super Over climax, with the USA side, playing their first-ever T20 World Cup, coming up with an incredible victory over Pakistan, champions in 2009, to mark one of the most significant victories for men's T20I cricket and one of the biggest upsets in the current tournament.
In a match where both teams managed to score 159 in the normal period of play, USA scored 18 in the Super Over, courtesy of wides and overthrows from Mohammad Amir of Pakistan, before the Pakistan team managed to score only 13 runs. "Pathetic performance. Playing against the USA, I, along with every Pakistani supporter, was confident of victory after witnessing their strong first innings display. However, the USA managed to chase down 19 runs in the Super Over, which is equivalent to scoring 36 runs in a regular over," said Akram in a telephonic conversation with Star Sports.
He added, "Hats off to the USA. But now Pakistan will have a very tough task ahead to reach the Super Eights with a game against India on June 9, and two other tough matches—against Ireland and Canada.\"
Pakistan's next match, up against arch-rivals India in New York, promises to be a highly anticipated affair. Akram praised USA captain Monank Patel, whose half-century and exemplary leadership, from the forefront, took them to victory over a floundering Pakistan, who, from the very start, seemed to be struggling.
"The highlight for me was Monank Patel's innings and his excellent captaincy. He led from the front, while his team's flawless fielding contributed to their dominance," Akram said.
Commenting on the game's turning point, Akram said Pakistan couldn't settle after making a brisk start, with the opening pair going cheaply. Though Pakistan managed a fighting 74-run partnership between Babar and Shadab, they couldn't take control of the game owing to poor fielding and average cricket.
"Victory and defeat are part and parcel of cricket, but the lack of effort, due to not diving, a few catches that were dropped, and some hard chances not going their way, is very disheartening. Yes, this was a black day for Pakistan cricket," Akram signed off on a somber note.
