Babar Azam says Pakistan’s desire to take wickets through the middle period left Mohammed Nawaz to bowl the final over in his side’s crushing T20 World Cup defeat to India.
Pakistan appeared to be closing in on a famous victory over arch-rivals India in front of 90,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
After posting 159-8 thanks to fifties from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood, Pakistan ripped through India’s top-order to leave Rohit Sharma’s side 31-4 in the seventh over.
Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya steadied the ship but Pakistan still appeared on top as India required 48 to win from the final three overs.
Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf then took some punishment to leave India needing 16 from the final six balls, to be bowled by spinner Nawaz.
Nawaz took a wicket with the first ball off the last over but was then hit for a six which was deemed a no-ball for being over waist height.
After bowling a wide, Nawaz bowled Kohli but the delivery was still a free-hit and India ran three as the ball clipped the stumps and flied down towards the boundary.
Nawaz then had Dinesh Karthik stumped – leaving India two to win from one ball – but another wide took the equation to one from one and Ravi Ashwin finished the job to clinch a remarkable four-wicket win.
Babar praised Kohli – who finished on 82 from 53 balls – for guiding India to victory and explained why Pakistan left Nawaz to bowl the final over.
The Pakistan captain said: ‘It was a tight game but we started bowling well. Our bowlers bowled really well and credit to Kohli who finished the game and shifted the momentum.
‘With the new ball it’s not easy. We were up to the mark but India built a good partnership. We had a chance but we asked the boys to believe in themselves and execute their plans, but credit to Kohli for batting.
‘It’s hard for the captain. In the middle of the game we decided we needed to take a wicket so we utilised our main bowlers and I think that’s why it was good for India.
‘Lots of positive things to take away. Iftikhar and Masood played well until the end and that was good for us.’
India skipper Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, said: ‘I have no words. I think you have to expect something like this in a game like this.
‘Our plan was to stay in the game as long as possible, that is what we have talked about, and keep believing you can pull through from whatever situation. That’s what happened with that partnership between Hardik and Virat.
‘Those two guys are experienced and have been in that kind of situation. Staying calm and taking it deep was critical.
‘This is good for our confidence and good to get off the mark in that first game. Hats off to Virat. I think it was the best innings he has played for India.’
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