Delight with the 3-0 T20I series whitewash against Australia, Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has expressed immense satisfaction with the overall performance of his side and says that this "result (is) a reward for our hardwork" done over a long period of time, now.
Pakistan reiterated their status and excelled the final T20I game as well, where they simply dominated the visitors by a substantial margin of 33 runs and completed their tenth consecutive series win in the shortest format of the game.
T20 is generally the toughest format to find consistency in and hence, this is a highly admirable run that Sarfaraz Ahmed's young team find themselves in. They would've definitely wanted this to be a World T20 year.
"I would say that all the boys have worked hard in all facets, the result is just the reward," said Sarfaraz after the match on Sunday, October 28, "Credit goes to the entire team. We outclassed them in every department. In this format, you cannot relax," he added, "We try to keep the momentum going. Whoever has got an opportunity has done well. The way we bowled and took our catches was superb tonight."
Meanwhile, young Babar Azam is extremely satisfied to have earned the Man of the Series award for his very fine batting performance, where he followed his 68* and 45 in the first two T20Is, with another solid 50 in the third.
He said, "When you are in form, score as many as you can. I try to keep my focus and perform in every game," before expressing, "I don't get satisfied if I've performed in one match. My role is that of an anchor, who has to bat through. I try to do that,"
Leg-spinner Shadab Khan also stood up with impressive figures of 3/19 in his quota and got rewarded Man of the Match honours, after helping Pakistan bowl Australia out for just 117 in 19.1 overs.
Delighted on the night, Shadab said, "Didn't try to do something extra, that was the key. There was a lot more grip in the previous game, today the ball was skidding through. I bowl according to situations."
Reflecting back at the disappointing series for his side, Australian captain Aaron Finch said, "I think we had a chance in all three games. Throughout the series, we had lack of partnerships. Chasing under 150, you back your batsmen to get the side over the line," and added, "They are a very good fielding side. Every time you give them soft wickets, it is devastating."
"Our bowlers did well. Restricting them under 150-160 in all the matches was a really good effort, Batting against spin is something we have to work on. It's going to be a tough series (against South Africa and India). We have to improve quickly," he signed off.
(Inputs from AFP)
