Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood has defended young batter Usman Khan despite failures following the national team’s narrow defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I of the series.
Reflecting on the match, Mahmood addressed areas of concern after Pakistan fell short by just four runs in their chase against New Zealand.
Despite a valiant effort by all-rounder Imad Wasim in the final over, Pakistan couldn’t overhaul the target set by the visitors, finishing on 174/8 in pursuit of New Zealand’s 178/7.
The defeat marked Pakistan’s second loss in the five-match T20I series, effectively dashing their hopes of clinching the series victory even with a win in the final match.
Speaking after the game, Mahmood came to Usman Khan’s defence, highlighting the batter’s intent despite limited success in the series so far.
Despite managing only 28 runs in three innings, Khan showcased promising signs, particularly in terms of intent, according to Mahmood.
“We always emphasize the importance of showing intent. Usman Khan demonstrated that today, displaying some impressive strokes. Although he didn’t achieve the desired results, his intent was commendable,” Mahmood remarked.
Mahmood acknowledged Pakistan’s superiority in various facets of the game compared to New Zealand but identified certain areas for improvement moving forward.
“There were a few positives for us as we scored more boundaries than New Zealand. We also bowled more dot balls but they just took more doubles than us. These are areas of concern for us and we’re constantly working on it,” Mahmood noted.
Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup scheduled in the West Indies and the USA from June 1, Mahmood expressed confidence in Pakistan’s squad composition, affirming that they have a clear idea of their best playing XI.
Despite facing a few setbacks due to injuries, Mahmood concluded on a positive note, stating that Pakistan’s squad is well-equipped for the upcoming tournament.
“As we finalize our preparations for the World Cup, we’re ensuring that we have every base covered. While injuries have posed some challenges, we’re optimistic about the depth and versatility of our squad,” Mahmood concluded.
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