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KARACHI: The initial edition of the seven-match Twenty20 International series saw the hosts lose by six wickets, dampening the excitement around England’s 17-year absence from Pakistan.
Now, as Babar Azam’s team looks to win a series-leveling match at the National Stadium on Thursday, they will want to lift the spirits of the large number of Karachi supporters who attended.
The fact that England won the series, which serves as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup next month, raised more concerns about Pakistan’s middle-order weakness as it gave in despite the openers getting off to a scorching start. Babar was frank in his assessment of what his team needed to do moving forward.
Following the defeat, Babar stated, “Our batters need to step up.” “We had a terrific time playing the first Powerplay. You have to give England credit for the swing in momentum that occurred after ten overs. There weren’t enough significant alliances.
Pakistan could only manage 72 more runs after Babar was removed midway through the 10th over, with the hosts leading 85-1, and England managed to reach the 158-run mark with four balls remaining.
Iftikhar Ahmed’s 17-ball 28 was Pakistan’s greatest middle-order effort, but Harry Brook’s 25-ball 42 over the boundary, following the right-hander’s entry into the batting order at number five, was encouraging for the visitors.
At three and four, Shan Masood, making his debut, and Haider Ali, playing his first Twenty20 international since December, combined for eighteen runs in twenty balls.
Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s vice-captain and fellow opener who top-scored with a 46-ball 68 in the opening game, acknowledged that his team is still developing and that they are trying to figure out their best lineup in advance of the World Cup.
At the press conference following the game, Rizwan said, “There are some changes being made and we are in the process of creating a combination [in the batting line-up] and in such circumstances, few mistakes are inevitable.”
We’re working to find answers in advance of the World Cup, so I don’t think it’s fair to pick faults at this point.
While dismissing criticism directed against Pakistan’s middle order, Rizwan said that his and Babar’s reliable performance as a pair was robbing other batters of sufficient time at the crease.
The wicketkeeper stated, “It is true that we are having some challenges right now, but it also needs to be acknowledged that Babar and I are spending more time at the wicket, and the middle order hasn’t really had a chance to show off.” “However, I think we should focus on raising the strike-rate.”
Rizwan thought the middle-order had been unfairly targeted following a pair of underwhelming showings in the just finished Asia Cup. The 30-year-old stated that the team management continued to have faith in it.
“There’s a false impression that the middle-order is struggling in the Asia Cup because it only failed in two matches,” Rizwan added.
“Yes, without a doubt, and we think it will manifest when necessary.”
HALES IMPRESSES KARACHI
Pakistan will need to use the National Stadium as their 12th man in the second Twenty20 match, when it is anticipated to be fully packed once more. In the first game, the fans’ screams for the Pakistani players were electrifying, but they were also grateful for England’s performance.
On his third return to the international scene, England opener Alex Hales was impressed by it. Hales’ 40-ball 53 had helped England take the series.
But it wasn’t the right-hander’s first time playing in the city. Hales has made 15 appearances at the location while representing Islamabad United and Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.
After the game, Hales told reporters, “I’ve played in front of full houses in Karachi; it is something different, one of the best atmospheres in world cricket.”
“I heard some of the guys, including Luke Wood, mention that when the game first started, he was standing at midwicket and was taken aback by the noise and the atmosphere.”
“Tonight, Karachi put on a show.”
Hales said he could only dream of winning back on home soil after being cut from the national team and then making a successful comeback.
The 33-year-old remarked, “Getting out here today and scoring 50 for the winning team is the stuff dreams are made of. Three years felt like forever.”
