T20 World Cup: Babar backs ‘big match players’ Fakhar, Ali ahead of semis

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is confident pacer Hasan Ali and batsman Fakhar Zaman will return to form in the knockout stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup. 

Pakistan were the first team to reach the semi-finals of the showpiece, winning all five of their matches in Super 12 Group 2, with Ali and Zaman among the few notable stragglers in an otherwise brilliant unit. 

Also Read | Bangladesh to probe team’s poor performance in T20 World Cup

However, speaking at a virtual press conference, Babar backed the two “big-match” players to come good in the semi-final against Australia on Thursday. 

“You want 11 players to perform? It doesn’t work like that in cricket, three to four players perform in a match,” PTI quoted Babar as saying. 

“Two batters perform in a game. Every player can’t perform in one match. The way Fakhar is playing, he has been given all the confidence. On his day he can change the game on his own and I have full confidence he will do it in the coming games.”

Also Read | Kiwis to seek revenge in ICC T20 World Cup semi final against England

Fakhar had scored a match winning-hundred against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.

Babar said he never thought of dropping Ali, who has so far been the least impressive in a potent bowling attack. 

“I can’t think of leaving him out. He is my main bowler. He has won us matches, won us tournaments. Ups and downs are part of anyone’s career and when you are little down you must back your key player and the whole team is behind him.

“He is mentally very strong and I believe he is a big match player and will deliver in semifinals,” said Babar.

Also Read | Performed really well as a team: Virat Kohli’s last words as India T20 captain

Pakistan, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, has played nothing like the unpredictable tag associated with them for years. They have played as a well-oiled machine, winning game after game.

However, they have not got a lot of runs in the Powerplay and it is something they can improve against the Australians, Babar noted. 

“We do plan to get 45-50 runs in the first six overs but sometimes we are not able to execute.”

“It is important to not lose wickets initially and our middle order can take it up later. In these conditions, we want to get 45-50 runs in the powerplay,” said Babar.