“Babar Azam was playing a proper ODI knock” – Aakash Chopra on Pakistan’s batting in 2024 T20 World Cup loss to USA

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Pakistan’s batting after their Super Over loss against the USA at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas on Thursday. After being put into bat, Pakistan could only manage a below-par score of 159 runs on the board.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam failed to find any kind of impetus in his innings as he trudged to four runs off 14 balls in the first six overs. Pakistan also lost three early wickets of Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, and Fakhar Zaman, which put them under the cosh.

Azam was able to change gears after the fielding restrictions were lifted and added 72 runs with Shadab Khan. But the Pakistan skipper was plumbed in front by Jasdeep Singh after scoring 44 runs off 43 balls.

“Pakistan got to bat first and they couldn’t bat at all, whether it was Steven Taylor’s incredible catch diving to his right where Mohammad Rizwan got out, Fakhar Zaman getting out trying to scoop the ball, or Usman Khan hitting straight and getting out,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Nosthush Kenjige, who took three wickets, bowled left-arm spin and Saurabh Netravalkar bowled left-arm pace, and wickets fell one after the other and continuously till Shadab Khan came and scored a few quick runs. Babar Azam was playing a proper ODI knock, a run-a-ball one,” the former India opener added.

The renowned commentator noted that Babar Azam could have tried to play as aggressively as Shadab Khan after they lost three early wickets.

“The truth is that you probably definitely needed to play slightly cautiously at that stage because wickets were falling from the other end but when you talk about Babar Azam’s class, you say wickets were falling but you are class. There was nothing special in the pitch. You could have started dominating a little bit more. If Shadab can do that job, Babar can also do it,” he elaborated.

Meanwhile, Shadab Khan scored a crucial knock of 40 runs off 25 balls but the rest of the Pakistan batters failed to contribute.

“The 40 runs Shadab scored off 25 balls tried to take Pakistan to a position from where they could have fought at least. Iftikhar Ahmed scored 18 and Azam Khan got a first-ball duck – not looking good. Shaheen Afridi scored 23 off 16 and you reached 159,” he said (2:55).

The former Delhi player feels 159 runs was a below-par score by Pakistan as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

“To be very honest, 159 were less runs. You should have scored 170-180 at a minimum because this pitch is good and the USA team was there in front of you. No disrespect but it’s the USA’s team, these are all amateur cricketers and you are expected to perform better than this,” Chopra stated.

Pakistan will next take on arch-rivals India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday.