T20 World Cup 2024: “If you can’t win this game, what should I say?” – Waqar Younis after disappointing loss against India

Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis slammed the Babar Azam-led team after they suffered a six-run loss against arch-rivals India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday.

Pakistan bowlers came up with a brilliant show, bundling out India for a below-par score of 119 runs after Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bowl first. 

However, Pakistan batters could not deliver the goods despite chasing an under-par score. Pakistan were 57-1 after 10 overs but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and played a lot of dot balls, which put them under the cosh. 

Mohammad Rizwan scored 31 runs but the Pakistan opener took 44 balls to score his runs. None of the other Pakistan batters could go past the 15-run mark. The Men in Green were in a shoo-in position but could not keep their calm and floundered under pressure.

“I think India gave Pakistan a good chance of winning this game by batting poorly. They could have easily put up maybe 140-150. Losing those seven wickets right at the end didn’t really help. However, India is such a good balanced side. If they don’t bat well, they know they have got (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj, Ravindra (Jadeja) – they have their bowling and fielding also really covered,” Waqar Younis said on Star Sports.

The former fast bowler slammed the Pakistan batters for their ordinary performance.

“They are a super team. Pakistan – if you can’t win this game, what should I say? This was given to you on a plate and Pakistan really spilled it. It was a horrible performance by the Pakistani batters. There were a few partnerships in the beginning but they couldn’t really finish the game,” the former Pakistan pacer added.

Younis, who was known to nail his yorkers during his heydays, believes Mohammad Rizwan played an ordinary shot despite being settled at the crease when he was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah.

“The game was in the hand, it was run-a-ball. That shot from Mohammad Rizwan was very ordinary, and when he played that shot and got out, I knew something special was going to happen because we know Bumrah and Siraj’s capabilities,” he said.

“As Irfan (Pathan) mentioned, if Hardik Pandya doesn’t bat well, he will come out with the ball and he will bowl really good deliveries. He bowled good pace, banged the ball short, which was required on this surface. They used their slower ones really well. Pakistan played badly but I think it was the brilliance of India’s bowling,” Younis stated.

Pakistan will next take on Canada at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Tuesday.