Pakistan captain Babar Azam showed his mettle after the United States’ loss at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Thursday, scoring five in a thrilling Super Over.
In the Super Over, Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir took the ball and USA won 18-1 and in reply, Pakistan could only win 13-1 and won by 5 runs.
In the post-match presentation, Babar said they failed to come in with the intention of playing hard.
“We didn’t bat in the first six overs. Back-to-back wickets always put you on the back foot, you have to develop partnerships and bat,” he said.
Babar noted that spinners can not take wickets and said the same thing with the ball.
“Our spinners didn’t take wickets in the middle overs either, so it came down to us,” he said.
“The pitch was less wet and it was two-tiered. As a professional, you have to judge the situation,” he said.
Earlier, Indian-born left-arm pacer Netrawalkar took 2-18 as Pakistan made 159/7.
The US innings came to a dramatic end when Nitish Kumar hit four off Haris Rauf’s last as the hosts beat Canada in the opening match.
Pakistan veteran Mohammad Amir was trusted in the Super Over but succumbed to some wide, frantic pitches that led to wild reverses and helped USA score 18 runs.
Netrawalkar got wide with his third Super Over but was bowled in the deep by Iftikhar Ahmed Kumar with the next delivery.
Needing seven off the last ball, Shadab Khan failed to manage a six in the second Super Over.