Shahid Afridi calls Pakistani strategy in Super Over 'blunder' against US
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Former cricket captain Shahid Afridi described Pakistan's shocking defeat to the United States in their T20 World Cup 2024 opener as a significant blunder.
The Green Shirts lost by five runs in the Super Over after being set a target of 19 runs at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Afridi criticized the decision-making in the Super Over. "They made a huge mistake by opting for Iftikhar instead of Fakhar to play the first ball. Fakhar would have been better suited against the left-arm fast bowler due to the bowling angle," Afridi said. "I don’t know who decided that Iftikhar should face the left-armer."
Afridi also expressed his dissatisfaction with Mohammad Amir's performance in the Super Over. "Amir bowled really well during the match, so I expected the same in the Super Over. However, he conceded too many extras, which hurt Pakistan’s chances. With his experience and ability to bowl yorkers, especially with the ball reversing, he should not have given away so many runs," Afridi added.
Pakistan had set a target of 160 runs, which the US matched on the last ball, finishing their innings at 159-3.
At the post-match presentation, Babar Azam acknowledged the team's failure to score aggressively during the powerplay. "In the first six overs, we didn't capitalize. Losing back-to-back wickets put us on the back foot. As a batter, you need to step up and build partnerships," he said.
Babar also highlighted the team's shortcomings with the ball, particularly the spinners' inability to take wickets. "We were not up to the mark in the first six overs with the ball. Our spinners did not take wickets in the middle overs, which cost us," he noted.
"All credit to the USA; they played better than us in all three departments. There was some moisture in the pitch, and it was two-paced. As professionals, we need to assess the conditions," Babar concluded.
Pakistan’s next match is against arch-rivals India on June 9 in New York.
