PAK vs IND: Here is what Babar Azam said after loss to India

The T20 World Cup 2024 match between Pakistan and India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York was a tense, low-scoring affair that saw India secure a narrow victory by six runs. This match was a crucial Group A encounter, with significant implications for both teams' standings in the tournament.

After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to bowl on a pitch exhibiting variable bounce. Their bowlers, particularly Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, performed admirably, each taking three wickets and helping to restrict India to a modest total of 119. Rishabh Pant was the standout batsman for India, contributing a vital 42 runs in quick time.

Pakistan's chase began with promise, with Mohammad Rizwan providing a steadying presence with his 31 runs. However, the Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah's impressive figures of 3-14, managed to stifle the Pakistani batting lineup. Despite being in a decent position at the halfway mark, regular wickets and a spate of dot balls saw Pakistan fall short, ending their innings at 113-7 in 20 overs.

Reflecting on the defeat, Pakistan captain Babar Azam acknowledged the team's shortcomings. He noted that their plan was to maintain a steady run rate, but the loss of quick wickets and a failure to build partnerships under pressure proved costly. "We were chasing 120, we were run a ball for the first 10 overs, but back to back wickets and then [we left too much in the end]," he said. Azam also highlighted that the team failed to capitalize on the first six overs as planned, targeting 40-45 runs but falling short.

Azam mentioned that the pitch, despite its challenges, was decent for batting. However, their inability to handle the pressure and execute their strategies effectively led to their downfall. The loss left Pakistan without any points after also losing their previous match against the United States.

On the other hand, Indian captain Rohit Sharma praised his team's resilience and ability to defend a low total. He admitted that India fell short of their intended target of 140 runs but commended the bowlers for their efforts. "We were 15-20 runs short, and every run matters. We were looking at 140, but the bowlers did the job," Sharma said, emphasizing the team's determination and positive attitude.

With this win, India is in a strong position in Group A, having won their first two matches and moving closer to securing a spot in the Super 8. Meanwhile, Pakistan will need to regroup and address their batting woes if they hope to advance in the tournament.