Pakistan’s all-rounder Shadab Khan on Tuesday urged the batters of the national team to improve their strike rate as the 2024 T20 World Cup is nearing and they need to find the strongest combination.
The Green Shirts suffered a massive seven-wicket loss against an inexperienced New Zealand in the third T20I in Rawalpindi which raised questions on the team’s intent as they only scored 178 while batting first.
Shadab stated that the strike rate is crucial and the team has to improve it especially when they play a bigger opponent. He also added that in international cricket, there is no B or C team.
“There are no surprises in international cricket, nor there is any B or C team, we can say that a team has less experience, but that’s it,” Shadab said in a media talk. “New Zealand played excellent cricket in the third T20I. We cannot put the blame on anyone, we didn’t play well as a team.
“Strike rate is very important and we are trying [to improve it]. We have to play with a good strike rate against big teams. I believe that the team that scores more boundaries in a match has better chances to win.”
He then urged that Pakistan have the combination to win the World Cup but they should make it final so that can be tasted in the nine matches the Men in Green will play before the mega event.
“The World Cup is right on the corner, we should give the new management some time. However, every player should know his role and their batting order, as it is something in talks these days.
“I believe we have the team that can win the World Cup and we should make the combination that could play with continuity. There are nine more matches [before the World Cup], we should make the combination.”
Remember, New Zealand made a stunning comeback in the five-match T20I series courtesy of Mark Chapman who led the visitors to victory by seven wickets in the third match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on April 21.
The series is now level at 1-1 with two matches remaining in Lahore. The matches are scheduled on April 25 and 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule
April 18 — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi — Match called off due to rain
April 20 — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi — Pakistan won by seven wickets
April 21 — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi — New Zealand won by seven wickets
April 25 — 4th T20I, Lahore
April 27 — 5th T20I, Lahore
- Shadab Khan
