Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis praised India’s balanced team following their improbable win against Pakistan during Match 19 of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday, June 9, in New York. The Rohit Sharma-led side defended a modest total of 119 on a tricky pitch, securing their second consecutive victory of the tournament.
India appeared to be on track for a competitive total, reaching 89/3 after 11 overs. However, they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their next seven wickets for just 30 runs. Reflecting on this, Waqar noted that India’s poor batting gave Pakistan a significant opportunity to win the match.
Nevertheless, India’s well-rounded team composition allowed them to make a remarkable comeback, with their bowlers compensating for the batters’ underperformance.
ALSO READ: Anil Kumble Hails Jasprit Bumrah As India’s T20 World Cup X-Factor
“I think India gave Pakistan a good chance of winning this game by batting poorly. They could have easily put up maybe 140-150. Losing those seven wickets right at the end didn’t really help. However, India is such a well-balanced side. If they don’t bat well, they know they have got (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj, Ravindra (Jadeja) – they have their bowling and fielding also really covered, which makes them a super team,” Waqar Younis said on Star Sports.
Continuing, the legendary fast bowler expressed his frustration with Pakistan’s performance, criticizing their failure to capitalize on India’s batting collapse.
“Pakistan – if you can’t win this game, what should I say? This was given to you on a plate and Pakistan really spilled it. It was a horrible performance by the Pakistani batters. There were a few partnerships in the beginning but they couldn’t really finish the game,” Waqar Younis added.
Chasing a modest target of 120, Pakistan’s batters initially faced little pressure, as the required run rate was around six per over. However, after Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal in the 13th over, Pakistan lost their way, with wickets falling in quick succession and the required rate climbing over eight.
ALSO READ: PCB Proposes Lahore As India’s Home Base For ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The game dramatically shifted after Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) shattered Mohammad Rizwan’s stumps in the 15th over, sending shockwaves through the Pakistan dressing room. As a result, the Babar Azam-led side could only muster 113/7 in their allotted 20 overs, losing the match by six runs. With back-to-back defeats against the USA and India, Pakistan now finds itself in a precarious situation, facing the threat of early elimination from the tournament.
