Pakistan have kept themselves alive in the race to the Super 8 round in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a win over Canada on June 11 in New York.
The Men In Green had a terrible start to their campaign when they lost to the USA in Dallas after the match went into Super Over. It was one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.In their second match, against arch-rivals India, Babar’s side failed to chase down the target of 120 runs. Led by Jasprit Bumrah, Indian bowlers successfully defended their total of 119 by six runs.In their third Group A match, Pakistan finally managed to record a win as they defeated Canada by 7 wickets with Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Rizwan starring in their roles. Amir returned with figures of 2/13, which restricted Canada to 106 before Rizwan scored 53* to anchor a successful chase.
Babar’s unit have one group-stage match left, against Ireland in Florida on June 16. Apart from this also being a must-win game for them, they need other results to go their way as well.
Both India and the USA have four points in two games each and both will face each other on Wednesday, with the winner set to progress to the Super Eight round.Babar’s team still have a decent chance of qualifying for the Super Eight round. For that to happen, they need to beat Ireland and pray that the USA lose their remaining two games, against India and Ireland.Since the net run rates of both Pakistan and the USA are close, if these three results happen, then the Men In Green are likely to qualify for the next round as the margin of the results required for Pakistan are small.Suppose, if USA lose their remaining two encounters by a combined margin of 10 runs (with scores of 140 by the team batting first), a win by any margin will be enough for Pakistan as long as they score at least 112 batting first against Ireland.
However, the bigger concern for Babar and co. is rain in Florida, where Ireland will meet both Pakistan and the USA. If even any one of these two matches is washed out, then the Men In Green will be eliminated.
Darkest day in Pakistan Cricket:
Pakistan's status as an international cricketing venue was thrown into question after masked terrorists attacked the team bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers to the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on the third morning of the second Test. Five cricketers, including Mahela Jayawardene, the captain, and Kumar Sangakkara, his deputy, received minor injuries. Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paravitarana were also injured in the attack, which killed six security men and two civilians. It was the first time since the 1972 Munich Olympics - where Palestinian terrorists killed 11 Israeli athletes - that sportsmen had been specifically targeted. The Lahore Test was quickly called off and the tour cancelled - a major disappointment for a nation hosting Test cricket for the first time in over 14 months. Besides, In September 2021New Zealand Cricket called off its first match in Pakistan in 18 years, even though Pakistan’s government insisted that “no security threat of any kind exists.”England's men have not played an international in Pakistan since 2005.
Pakistan players are not allowed to be part of IPl after Mumbai terror attack in 2008.
