The humiliating debacle Pakistan dealt in their last match against Zimbabwe have put green shirts on the verge of an early exit from ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.
Pakistan were inches close to win both their matches in Super 12 Round against India and Zimbabwe; however, it didn’t end up as the former would have wanted.
Certainly, both defeats from the arch-rivals India and the 11th ranked Zimbabwe would haunt Pakistan in many years to follow. Notwithstanding, Pakistan have yet to play three more T20Is in the tournament with a hope that everything goes in their favour.
Though Pakistan haven’t so far gained any points in Group 2 after two games but if they seal victories in their remaining three matches and South Africa lose to India, then they would be the formidable contender for the semi-final spot.
Pakistan will face Netherlands at Perth on Sunday (October 30), South Africa at Sydney on November 3, and Bangladesh at Adelaide on November 6.
Pakistan’s possible playing XI against Netherlands:
- Babar Azam (Captain)
- Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket Keeper)
- Shan Masood
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Haider Ali or Asif Ali
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Wasim Jr
- Haris Rauf
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Naseem Shah
Netherlands’ possible playing XI against Pakistan:
- Max O’Dowd
- Vikramjit Singh
- Bas de Leede
- Colin Ackermann
- Tom Cooper
- Scott Edwards (Captain & Wicket Keeper)
- Tim Pringle
- Logan van Beek
- Shariz Ahmad
- Fred Klaassen
- Paul van Meekeren
Like Pakistan, Netherlands have 0 points as well. In Super 12 Round, they lost to Bangladesh by 9 runs at Hobart on October 24 and suffered a 56 runs defeat against India at Sydney on October 27.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Group 2 Points Table
Besides Pakistan-Netherlands match, two more matches of Group 2 will take place on Sunday.
At Brisbane, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will meet at 08:00 am PST while India and South Africa will take on each other at Perth at 04:00 pm PST.
Earlier on Saturday, New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 65 runs at Sydney.
Batting first, New Zealand scored 167 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Glenn Phillips smashed 104 runs off 64 balls.
In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out on 102 runs in 19.2 overs. New Zealand’s Trent Boult took 4 wickets conceding merely 13 runs.
