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Pakistan battles batting woes ahead of India clash
10 Feb
Summary
- Pakistan faces USA after a shaky win against Netherlands.
- Babar Azam's slow strike rate is a major concern for Pakistan.
- USA squad is plagued by multiple injury concerns.
The Pakistan cricket team is preparing to face the USA in their second Group A game of the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for Tuesday. Following a narrow three-wicket victory over the Netherlands, Pakistan's batting order showed significant vulnerabilities, collapsing from a strong position to barely overhaul their target.
Former captain Babar Azam's scoring rate has become a point of concern, as he struggled to maintain a run-a-ball pace. Coupled with Usman Khan's dismissal for a duck, this highlights potential issues in Pakistan's middle order. The team is considering young Khwaja Nafay as a replacement for Usman, given Nafay's impressive strike rate.
Captain Salman Ali Agha has acknowledged the need for Babar Azam to improve his strike rate, emphasizing his importance for stability. Meanwhile, the USA team is dealing with multiple injury setbacks after their recent loss to India. Backup pacer Jasdeep Singh is out for the tournament, and Ali Khan is doubtful, though Ehsan Adil has been approved as a replacement.
Other players like Shubham Ranjane have also faced minor injuries. The T20 World Cup 2026 matches are taking place across various venues, with a significant upcoming clash between Pakistan and India in Colombo on Sunday.
