T20 World Cup: Rizwan, Amir put Pakistan on points table

LONG ISLAND, NY: Pakistan finally got on the World Cup T20 points table with a sedate seven-wicket win over Canada at the Nassau County Stadium on Tuesday. Despite the win, their fate of making it to the next stage still hangs by a thread.

In the face of a low 107 runs-winning target, Mohammad Rizwan’s 53 not out ensured Pakistan cross the line in the 18th over. The biggest question the team now faces is whether the greenshirts will make it to the next stage. Following the loss against India on Sunday, Pakistan have already left it to the results of other Pool matches to determine their fate. A third victory each by India and the US could well mean curtains for Pakistan. Both teams have two wins each and are set to face each other on Wednesday in a match that could well decide the Pool A leader.

The most consistent of Pakistan batsmen Rizwan ensured his team’s success against the Canada team which lacked the bowling resources required on such tracks.

Pakistan raised a hundred in 16.5 overs with a delivery later Rizwan also reached his 29th T20 international half-century, striking two fours and a six in the process. “Victory was all we were looking at. It was our first win and hopefully, things would go in our favour in matches to come,” Mohammad Rizwan said following Pakistan’s win. Saim Ayub (6) yet again lost his wicket early.

Mohammad Aamir (2-13) who led Pakistan bowling was declared Man of the Match for keeping the Canadian top-order in check.

“The wicket as usual was tricky for the batsmen. Besides having a double bounce, it also offers a swing that makes things difficult for the batting team. Look none of the team has succeeded in scoring big here. Hitting strokes has been a problem on this ground,” Amir said.

When it came to run chase, Babar Azam (33) raised 63 runs for the second wicket with Rizwan. The pair took almost 9.4 overs to manage the partnership which in no way served Pakistan’s cause of increasing the run rate that may prove crucial while determining the fate of teams.

Earlier, Aaron Johnson (52) held Canadian innings together with an entertaining fifty studded with four sixes and as many fours. His innings was more an effort to keep Canada in the match on the tricky Nassau County Stadium pitch that offered all the support to pace bowlers. Johnson’s 44-ball knock finally culminated when he missed Naseem Shah’s fast delivery only to see his stump uprooted.

Score: Canada 106 for 7 in 20 overs (Aaron Johnson 52, Kaleem Sana 13 not out, Naseem Shah 2-26, Mohammad Amir 2-13)

Pakistan 107 for 3 in 17.3 overs: (Mohammad Rizwan 53 not out, Babar Azam 33, Dillon Heyliger 2-18)