Pakistan skipper Babar Azam lauded the duo of Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali after they took their team home comfortably against New Zealand in their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 clash.
Pakistan has moved one step closer to qualifying for semis in the T20 World Cup 2021 as after thrashing Team India in their first match they defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets to win two out of their two matches in the mega event.
Bowling first, Pakistan on account of Haris Rauf’s four wicket-haul restricted the Kane Williamson-led side for just 134 runs. While chasing, the Babar Azam-led side was a bit sloppy with the bat as, after a decent start, they were reduced to 87/5.
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The duo of Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali then joined hands together and smashed New Zealand bowlers all over the park and helped their team chase the target with 8 balls to spare despite a wobble in the middle.
While Malik remained unbeaten on 26, Ali smashed 27* in just 12 balls to take the team home. They shifted the momentum towards Pakistan after the latter smashed Tim Southee for two sixes in the over and then almost sealed the deal for their team in the 18th over by scoring 15 runs off Mitchell Santner.
Skipper Babar Azam praised the duo of Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali saying that they needed a partnership after early wickets. He added that for his team every match is crucial and they’ll look to play game by game.
"Feels great to win and we'll look to carry forward the confidence. While batting, there were wickets early on and we needed a partnership. Malik showed experience and Asif Ali contributed too. Every match is crucial. There is no easy match. We'll look to play it day by day and game by game," Babar Azam said at the post-match presentation.
Azam said that though it was a complete bowling performance from his team but he felt they gave 10 runs extra. He lauded his team’s fielding performance, which has carried them through.
"The spinners started off brilliantly, and Haris and Shaheen carried it through. I would like to compliment our fielding, which has carried us through here. I thought we gave 10 runs too many. But this cricket and it happens," he said.
Pakistan is now leading the Super 12s group 2 with four points. They will next face Afghanistan on 29th October.
(ANI inputs)
