12 June,2024 06:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Babar AZAM (Pic: File Pic)
Pakistan on Tuesday defeated Canada by seven wickets and registered their first win of the T20 World Cup 2024. Following the run chase, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said that the side was not able to chase the target in less number of overs because of the difficult pitch.
After suffering two consecutive defeats in the T20 World Cup 2024 against the USA and India, the match against Canada was a must-win clash for Pakistan.
During the run chase, Mohammad Rizwan's unbeaten 53 runs and Babar's 33-run knock helped the side chase the target in 17.3 overs.
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"Good for us, we need this win. We started well with the bowling, in the first six overs we know we had to be up to the mark," Babar said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"It was in our mind (to get over USA's net run rate), to win before 14 overs but the pitch made it difficult."
After making a run-a-ball 33, Babar was caught in the slips while trying to guide a delivery down to the third man, and the dismissal left the Pakistan skipper angry.
"Because I got out with the same shot twice (against India)! This is my shot but sometimes you need success. I'll try my best."
India is currently placed atop Group A with two wins from as many matches with the USA following with the same number of victories.
Pakistan has climbed up to the third spot with two points from three games ahead of Canada and Ireland. Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar felt it was a difficult wicket to bat early on.
"Definitely, it was a bit disappointing. We wanted to play a positive brand of cricket and I think the wicket was not very helpful. It was difficult to bat early on - not a good toss to lose. We were about 25 to 30 runs short," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)