May 26th 2024.
In a post-match interview, Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his disappointment in his team's performance as they suffered a 23-run defeat against England in the second T20I. The loss came after the first match was washed out due to rain in Leeds, giving England a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
Despite a strong start from opener Fakhar Zaman, who scored 45 runs off just 21 balls with five fours and three sixes, Pakistan was unable to chase down England's target of 184. Babar, who contributed 32 runs, acknowledged that their downfall came in the middle overs where they were unable to build partnerships and ultimately fell short.
Speaking about their batting, Babar stated, "It was a par score and our bowlers did a great job. However, we were unable to finish well in the batting department. We had a small partnership between Fakhar and myself, but we needed someone to score big runs. We are a flexible team and everyone knows their role. If someone is not in good form, we are open to making changes."
The captain also praised Fakhar for his aggressive batting, despite wickets falling at regular intervals on the other end. He believed that if they had stayed at the crease for a few more overs, the outcome of the match could have been different.
In the first innings, England's Jos Buttler led the charge with 84 runs off just 51 balls, including eight fours and three sixes. Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets, while Iman Wasim and Haris Rauf both contributed with two scalps each.
Commenting on the team's performance, Babar acknowledged the experienced Imad Wasim's contribution, both with the ball and the bat. He also praised Shadab Khan, who had a disappointing game, stating that he is one of the best all-rounders in the team and they have confidence in his abilities.
Looking towards the third T20I in Cardiff, Babar remained optimistic and said, "We announced our team and we are giving confidence to our players. We will come back stronger in the next match."
The third T20I between England and Pakistan will take place on Tuesday, May 28, and both teams will be looking to take the lead in the series.
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