Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has named their thumping 10-wicket win against arch-rivals India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 as a big confidence booster. Notably, this was their first win in as many as 13 matches against India in a World Cup as well.
However, Pakistan has had a great run in the tournament, winning all four of their matches so far in the Super 12 stage. Having already qualified for the semi-finals, Pakistan will take on Scotland in their last group stage match as well. While speaking on the eve of the Pakistan-Scotland game, Hafeez shared that the memorable victory against India took their confidence to another level.
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Mohammad Hafeez said: “In any tournament when you win the first match, it gives you confidence so when we beat India it lifted our confidence hugely. I have been part of many World Cup matches against India and after all those defeats we had to bear the consequences but we always used to have strong comebacks. This time we won and it was great to be part of that team that beat India.”
Howveer, before going into the T20 World Cup, Pakistan had faced a lot of hurdles. While their five-match series against the West Indies didn’t take place entirely due to poor weather conditions, New Zealand and England cancelled their tours to the nation as well. However, they have won all of their matches in the event so far and will take on Scotland on November 7 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Mohammad Hafeez again said: “We played only one out of five matches in the West Indies due to the weather conditions. Then New Zealand and England abandoned their tours so we were short on that front but the whole team and the management have done well in this tournament.”
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“To be honest, when it comes to a cricket match, we don’t think about who we want to play. Whoever comes, we are ready for that as our confidence is high, we are shaping up well and we are performing well. But first we have a game against Scotland so we need to take them on with the same intensity and confidence. The goal is to win the Cup for the nation and we are close to that,” Mohammad Hafeez concluded.
