ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Match starts 3 pm
Colombo, Feb 17: With their backs against the wall, former champions Pakistan will rely on their fragile batting to come good after the jolt against India and seal a Super 8s spot when they face struggling Namibia, in their final league fixture, here on Wednesday.
In Group A, title favourites India have already sealed their Super 8s berth after their handsome 61-run win over Pakistan the other day.The second spot is now up for grabs, with the United States having their nose ahead of Pakistan.
Both teams have four points each but Pakistan are behind on Net Run Rate — Pakistan have a negative NRR of -0.403, while the USA are comfortably placed at 0.788.Pakistan’s equation is simple — win against the winless Namibia and make the cut as any slip-up could leave them relying on other permutation and combinations.Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan’s campaign has suddenly entered a tense phase after what was meant to be a straightforward progression turned into a battle for survival following the defeat to India.
The spotlight will firmly be on their fragile batting — including stalwart Babar Azam, openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub and their skipper Agha — which was exposed in their defeat to India in Colombo.Former Azam has been under pressure, especially after his seven-ball five against India, with calls for his exclusion growing louder.After being reduced to 13 for 3 by India’s pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, Pakistan’s middle order offered no resistance — worrying sign even against a side like Namibia.Openers Sahibzada and Ayub, along with the middle order, will also need to show greater application.Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi also struggled, claiming just one wicket while conceding over 31 runs in his two overs.The only bright spot was Ayub, who had India’s top order in a spot of bother with his three-wicket haul.Pakistan’s key worry is Afridi’s inconsistency; his struggle with rhythm and control was glaring when he leaked 15 runs in the crucial final over, handing India the late momentum. (PTI)
