Shan Masood, a Pakistani batsman, issued a warning in Perth, saying his team’s “demoralised” state must soon rise up and maintain their faith if they are to save their dwindling Twenty20 World Cup hopes.
Four days after losing to their bitter rivals India in their tournament opener in an agonising manner, Pakistan suffered a shocking one-run defeat to Zimbabwe on Thursday in Perth.
One of the early favourites, they now need to win all of their remaining games, beginning on Sunday with the Netherlands, and pray that other outcomes go their way.
Masood, who scored 44 runs before Zimbabwe choked Pakistan to a total of 129-8, told reporters in Perth, “We have three games that are in our hands. Granted, we have to rely on a few other results, but that’s the beauty of sport.”
We are going to trust it and give it our all in these three games because funny things have happened in sports. Sikandar Raza, a Zimbabwean all-rounder born in Pakistan who took three crucial wickets in the space of nine balls, including Masood, caused Pakistan to wobble in their pursuit after their spinners had reduced Zimbabwe to 130-8.
Pakistan came up barely short in the final over when 11 needed to win, giving Zimbabwe a renowned victory.”However, we are unable to plan forward or look ahead until the competition is over. We can now correct our flaws and triumph in the following three games.”
Babar Azam, the team’s captain, and Mohammad Rizwan, who bats beside him, have been crucial to Pakistan’s success.Despite Masood’s 38-ball innings, Azam and Rizwan were out in the small chase for four and 14, respectively, and the remainder of the batting collapsed. Everyone must contribute, according to Masood.
