NEW DELHI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam scored 31 off 34 balls while star pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled brilliantly with three runs off 22 balls to guide Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Ireland in the final match of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan, already eliminated from the tournament, finished third in their group despite the win, while Ireland finished bottom of the group with just one point after their match against the USA.
Pakistan’s World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start with a loss to the USA in the Super Over in the opening match, a defeat that gave Pakistan a major setback as the Americans went on to win.
In the second match against India, Pakistan bowled out Rohit Sharma’s team for 119 but fell short of the target, scoring only 113 for 7 in 20 overs and losing by six runs.
Pakistan kept their hopes alive with a seven-wicket win over Canada in the third match, but the match between the United States and Ireland was cancelled, causing Pakistan to be eliminated from the tournament.
“The team has to improve,” Afridi said after Pakistan’s win over Ireland on Sunday at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida.
“The wicket was supporting the new ball so we tried to bat early, targeting our favourite areas. Our plan worked. My idea was to bowl more full balls. We were targeting our favourite areas. We did not play the good cricket that the country requires. There are many areas that we need to improve urgently. The Champions Trophy is around the corner,” said Afridi, who was adjudged Man of the Match.
“We have to improve and grow as a team. The crowd always comes out to support us. I appreciate everyone’s support. It’s a tough time but they always come out to support us. That’s what we need as a team. That’s my job. I just go out there at the end of the innings and bat. That’s what the team needed. I always try to hit for sixes,” he said.
Pakistan, already eliminated from the tournament, finished third in their group despite the win, while Ireland finished bottom of the group with just one point after their match against the USA.
Pakistan’s World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start with a loss to the USA in the Super Over in the opening match, a defeat that gave Pakistan a major setback as the Americans went on to win.
In the second match against India, Pakistan bowled out Rohit Sharma’s team for 119 but fell short of the target, scoring only 113 for 7 in 20 overs and losing by six runs.
Pakistan kept their hopes alive with a seven-wicket win over Canada in the third match, but the match between the United States and Ireland was cancelled, causing Pakistan to be eliminated from the tournament.
“The team has to improve,” Afridi said after Pakistan’s win over Ireland on Sunday at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida.
“The wicket was supporting the new ball so we tried to bat early, targeting our favourite areas. Our plan worked. My idea was to bowl more full balls. We were targeting our favourite areas. We did not play the good cricket that the country requires. There are many areas that we need to improve urgently. The Champions Trophy is around the corner,” said Afridi, who was adjudged Man of the Match.
“We have to improve and grow as a team. The crowd always comes out to support us. I appreciate everyone’s support. It’s a tough time but they always come out to support us. That’s what we need as a team. That’s my job. I just go out there at the end of the innings and bat. That’s what the team needed. I always try to hit for sixes,” he said.
