Captain Babar wins hearts with a grand gesture
Pakistan and West Indies are currently locking horns in a 3-match ODI series, the first of which was won by the home team Pakistan. West Indies put up 305 runs on the board with the help of Shai Hope’s 127 and Shamarh Brooks’ 70. Pakistan’s reply was led by Captain Babar Azam’s 103 and half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq and Rizwan. None of these players however got the Man of the Match award!
In a show of true sportsmanship spirit, Babar Azam called the finisher Khushdil Shah up to the podium to hand him his Man of the Match award. The hard hitter made 41 off 23 with one four and four sixes to bring Pakistan home. Captain Babar believed that inning to be the most important which is why he handed over his man of the match award to the batsman.
Beautiful gesture from the skipper 😍@babarazam258 gives his player of the match award to @KhushdilShah_ 🏆👏#PAKvWI | #KhelAbhiBaqiHai pic.twitter.com/7BrSiV7TyL
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 8, 2022
When asked about his approach to run chase, the Bannu-born batter said, “The situation I was in, I tried to take it deep. I have been working on my hitting for the last two years. The coaching camp in the last 10-12 days has helped. The coaches have helped me during this time. I was waiting for the balls to come into my zone.”
Pakistan captain when speaking on Khushdil’s finishing and approach to his own batting said, “Outstanding finish from Khushdil. You have to take it deep so that there is less pressure on the finishers.”
Speaking of the game, the West Indies team set out a decent total with the help of Hope, Brooks and Powell. Pakistan however were equally good at the job and came up with a textbook ODI run chase. They started the match slowly and focused on not losing early wickets. Captain Azam, Imam and Rizwan took the game deep and once the end was in sight, Khushdil came and smacked his way to the target.
West Indies and Pakistan resume their challenge in the second match on 10th June.
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