pak finals
Cricket

“We will use our pace attack as our strength to win the Finals,” says Babar Azam

On Saturday, Pakistan’s Captain Babar Azam urged his team, who has recently seen a resurgence in success, to ride the wave of their recent string of victories all the way to the Twenty20 World Cup title.

The champions from 2009 started their campaign with last-ball defeats to India and Zimbabwe, but they came back strong to get all the way to the final on Sunday, when they will face England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“We have lost the first two matches, but the way we came back the last four matches, we’ve performed very well,” Azam said at a press conference.

“I’m more excited than nervous. It is no doubt that pressure exists, but it can only be suppressed with confidence and belief in ourselves. And for good results it is important that one must do so.”

“England is a competitive team, their win to reach the finals against India was a proof of that,” he said. “Our strategy is to stick to our plan and use our pace attack as our strength to win the finals. Utilising the powerplay to grab as many wickets will be essential for the match,” he added.

Regardless of any late injuries, Pakistan will field the same lineup, with Shaheen Shah Afridi leading a fearsome attack and Azam and Mohammad Rizwan leading the batting.

When Pakistan played India earlier in the competition, more than 90,000 supporters packed the MCG, and they have had massive support wherever they have competed in Australia.

“They give us confidence and its good to see when we go anywhere, any stadium, they come and support the Pakistan team,” Babar explained.

Pakistan’s lineup is set to remain same, although England may bring back fast pace bowler Mark Wood and number three batsman Dawid Malan if they are ready. The final has been touted as a showdown between Pakistan’s feared speed attack and England’s top order, but both teams have other options as well.

Meanwhile, severe weather might interrupt Sunday’s play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and perhaps result in the sides being proclaimed joint champions if they are unable to finish a match of at least 10 overs each side before the end of the reserve day on Monday.

However, the weather should hold out long enough for a match between the two teams that competed for the 50-overs World Cup at the MCG 30 years ago.

 

Farzeen K

Farzeen K

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