T20I tri-series win big boost in confidence ahead of T20 World Cup: Pakistan’s Babar Azam

Babar Azam said on Friday that Pakistan have gained a lot of confidence from their victory in the T20I tri-series in New Zealand and they will be keen on carrying forward the winning momentum into the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the final of the tri-series in Christchurch on Friday, successfully chasing a 164-run target with 3 balls to spare.

It was a crucial victory for Pakistan as they put behind the home T20I series defeat to England and warmed-up to the T20 World Cup with a series of convincing wins over New Zealand and Bangladesh in the tri-series.

“Before the big event, we have good confidence as a team and we hope to carry the momentum forward. The way the team played well, all credit to them,” Babar Azam said after Pakistan successfully chased down 164.

Pakistan will take on England on October 17 and Afghanistan on October 19 in their warm-up matches before the high-octane match against India in Melbourne on October 23.

Questions were asked of Pakistan’s middle order after their ordinary performances in the Asia Cup final and the home series against England. The likes of Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, and Haider Ali were questioned but the middle-order seems to have hit form at the right time before the World Cup.

All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz’s performances as a floater and finisher have given Pakistan plenty of confidence. Against Bangladesh, Nawaz hit a 20-ball 45 and chipped in with a crucial 22-ball 38 in the final, hitting 3 sixes and 2 boundaries. Nawaz and Haider shared a 56-run stand that changed the momentum of Pakistan’s chase in the final after rare failures for Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan with the bat at the top.

BABAR CHUFFED WITH BABAR, NAWAZ

Babar expressed delight over the middle-order performance, heaping praise on Haider and Nawaz.

“Batters were great, especially the middle order who did their job. The way Nawaz and Haider are playing is outstanding. That’s what you want the middle order to do – step up,” he added.

Kane Williamson’s fifty went in vain as New Zealand let the pressure off Pakistan after putting a lid on the scoring rate in the first half of Pakistan’s chase. Ish Sodhi’s 15th over proved costly as the leg-spinner conceded 25 runs but Williamson said New Zealand will not be pointing fingers at any particular individual for the defeat.

“Disappointing for us. You always want 20 more runs I guess but the wicket was on the lower side and we have generally operated well this series. Credit to Pakistan, they hit the ball beautifully. There is no blame for anybody,” Williamson said.