Gul’s Insights After Pakistan’s T20I Defeat
Pakistan’s bowling coach, Umar Gul, addressed the media post the first T20I against New Zealand, analyzing Babar Azam’s performance and expressing optimism despite the team’s 46-run loss at Eden Park, Auckland.
Babar Azam’s Crucial Knock: A Positive Turn
Gul acknowledged Babar Azam’s pivotal role in the chase, emphasizing the significance of his innings in gaining confidence. Despite falling short of a century, Babar’s 57 off 35 balls showcased an improved strike rate, instilling optimism in both the player and the team.
Gul on Babar’s Recent Form and Innings
“Even if you see his runs in the last series, he was not out of form but sometimes your luck does not support you. He scoring 30-40 runs, we were expecting big innings from him like scoring a century, unfortunately, he couldn’t do that,” Gul explained. The bowling coach believes that Babar’s recent performances indicate a player in good form, and today’s innings will boost his confidence.
Shaheen Afridi’s Captaincy Debut: A Challenging Start
Shaheen Afridi’s debut as the T20 captain faced challenges despite a strong start from Saim Ayub, who scored a quick 27 off 8. The team faltered in the chase, unable to convert promising starts into a victory.
New Zealand’s Dominance with the Bat
Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson led New Zealand’s batting, scoring 57 and 61 runs respectively. Williamson, given a lifeline by Babar Azam’s dropped catch, capitalized on the opportunity. The Kiwi skipper set the stage for aggressive performances by Finn Allen and Mitchell, who scored at impressive strike rates of 233 and 255.
Bowling Struggles for Pakistan
Pakistan’s bowlers faced a challenging day, with Abbas Afridi and Haris Rauf maintaining relatively decent economies. Afridi, despite a promising start, conceded 46 runs while taking three wickets. The rest of the bowling unit struggled against New Zealand’s aggressive batting lineup.
Gul’s Positive Outlook for Babar and Pakistan
Gul remains optimistic about Babar Azam’s form and the team’s performance in the upcoming matches. The boost in Babar’s confidence, despite the defeat, is seen as a positive sign for Pakistan as they look forward to bouncing back in the T20I series.
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