Amir’s Heroics Lead Pakistan to Victory Over Canada in T20 World Cup
Mohammad Amir won the Player of the Match award for his figures of 13-2 in his four overs. Haris Rauf also clinched two wickets while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah bagged one each
Speaking to Rameez Raja during the post-match ceremony Amir said As a bowler you have to adapt to any conditions. I was just trying to hit the right areas the conditions were demanding. As a professional, you’ve to be clear in your role I know I have to bowl with the new ball, and at the death, I’m ready for anything. I bowled the away swinger for 3-4 deliveries, I then decided to swing it back in on the dismissal of Dhaliwal. Much needed to win we’ve to win the next match and then who knows?
Fakhar Zaman departed after trying to finish things off in the 18th over however, Mohammad Rizwan got the Green Shirts over the line with a crucial 53 off 53 balls.
Dillon Heyliger deceived Babar Azam with a slow delivery as he got caught behind taking his second wicket for Canada. Fakhar Zaman joined Rizwan on the crease as Pakistan kept their eyes on the prize.
Pakistan breathed a sigh of relief after hitting much-needed boundaries to bring down the required run rate. The Green Shirts were 81-1 after the end of 14 overs as Rizwan and Azam cruised along comfortably.
The Men in Green steadied on as the innings reached the halfway mark with the scorecard at 59-1. Azam and Rizwan gained momentum against the Canadian bowling attack in hopes of chasing down 107.
Canada introduced spinners to slow down Pakistan even more as Captain Saad Bin Zafar and Junaid Siddiqui looked to capitalize on the situation.
Saim Ayub was caught by Shreyas Movva off Dillon Heyliger in his first over. Canada reviewed the umpire’s decision for caught behind against the new batsman, Azam. The original decision of not out was enforced.
Rizwan and Ayub opened the innings for Pakistan as Azam decided to change things up after back-to-back losses against the United States and India. Kaleem Sana and Jeremy Gordon led the bowling attack for Canada.
Canada managed to cross the 100-run mark putting up 106 on the board as tailenders provided much-needed support in the last couple of overs.
Aaron Johnson made almost half of the Canadian total with 52 off 44 balls on a tricky New York pitch, known for close calls and surprise outcomes this T20 World Cup. Captain Saad Bin Zafar also fell victim to Pakistani pacers as Amir got his second wicket in the 17th over.
Naseem Shah came back into the attack for the 14th over and took down dangerous-looking Aaron Johnson as Canada lost their sixth wicket.
Zafar had joined opener Johnson at the crease as Canada struggled against the pace of Pakistani bowlers. Much-needed respite came in the form of a six off Imad Wasim in the 13th over.
After finding his length Haris Rauf took two wickets in his second over as Ravinderpal Singh and Shreyas Movva were both caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan, bringing Canada 55-5 at the halfway mark.
Earlier Imad Wasim ran out Nicholas Kirton in the eighth over as Canada struggled to put pressure on Pakistan.
Amir struck in his first over for Pakistan as he clean-bowled Navneet Dhaliwal. Naseem Shah bowled 2 overs giving away 13 runs in his opening spell.
Shaheen Shah Afridi gave away consecutive boundaries conceding ten runs in the opening over of the match. However, he got the wicket of Pragat Singh who had joined Aaron Johnson on the crease after Dhaliwal’s dismissal on the first delivery of his second over.
Match Toss
Pakistan had won the toss and elected to field first at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York
The players step onto a pristine pitch untouched by previous battles setting the stage for a contest of skill and strategy.
With conditions favoring the bowlers Pakistan’s decision to field first underscored their tactical approach in the high-stakes encounter.
Under a backdrop of clear skies, the stage was set for the two sides to make their mark on the Group A points table.
There was no hint of rain adding to the perfect cricketing conditions that awaited the players and spectators alike.
