Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has expressed his team’s determination to adopt a “positive and attacking” style in their upcoming T20 World Cup match against India scheduled for February 15. Following a recent 32-run victory over the USA, Pakistan announced they would not pursue a boycott of the high-stakes fixture, paving the way for one of the tournament’s marquee contests. In a post-match presentation, Farhan emphasized the team’s consistent approach against their traditional rivals, mentioning their strategy from previous matches, including the Asia Cup. “We will adopt the same mindset against India as we have done earlier. Our focus will be on staying positive and playing aggressively,” Farhan stated.
Farhan’s Performance Highlights
In his noteworthy performance against the USA, Farhan scored a fiery 73, which was pivotal in shaping Pakistan’s total of 190 runs. He mentioned feeling confident about his performance even during training, stating that the ball was responding well during practice sessions. “Based on how I practiced yesterday, I had a good feeling for today’s match. I even told our batting coach that I was confident about earning the player-of-the-match award,” he remarked. Farhan also set a personal target to achieve at least two to three player-of-the-match accolades in this World Cup.
Captain Salman Agha’s Insights
Pakistan captain Salman Agha highlighted the team’s flexibility in batting as a significant strength. “We’re comfortable with chasing targets, but we prefer to set a challenging score and then defend it. Our batting order is adaptable, allowing us to react accordingly whether we lose wickets or need to accelerate,” Agha explained. After a narrow victory over the Netherlands, Pakistan displayed improved performance against the USA. “It was a clinical display. We started well with the bat and maintained our momentum in the middle overs. With a world-class bowling attack, scoring 190 gave us the confidence to defend the target,” he added.
Room for Improvement Noted by Agha
Despite the victory, Agha acknowledged areas that need enhancement. “There is always room for improvement. We want to bowl better during the powerplay and be more consistent throughout the innings,” he noted. This outlook demonstrates the team’s commitment to refining their performance as they approach the crucial clash against India.
USA Team’s Outlook After Loss
The USA captain Monank Patel expressed disappointment regarding his team’s performance, particularly in the middle overs where they lost control of the game. “We bowled effectively in the powerplay but struggled in the middle overs, allowing too many runs. Our pace bowlers did regain composure at the end,” Patel commented. With two losses in their current campaign, Patel emphasized the need for his team to end on a high note. “We have played well overall but small mistakes have cost us. Our aim is to conclude this World Cup strongly with two victories,” he stated.
