Pakistan’s women’s Cricket team mentor Wahab Riaz struggled to find the right words after the team lost to Bangladesh by 23 runs in Southampton during the Women’s T20 World Cup.
This defeat marked Pakistan’s third in a row, effectively eliminating their chances of making it to the semifinals. Chasing a target of 124 runs in 20 overs, Fatima Sana’s team seemed to be on track at 64/2 halfway through the innings, needing just runs at a steady pace.
However, they collapsed unexpectedly, scoring only 36 runs in the last 10 overs, losing six wickets and ending their innings at 100/8. Notably, they did not hit a single boundary after the eighth over.
In the post-match conference, Wahab expressed his confusion about the team’s performance.
“When you are 72 for 2 in 12 overs, needing just six runs an over, I have no answer for that, to be very honest,” he said. “I think we have defeated ourselves, and credit goes to the Bangladesh team for keeping their nerves.”
Bangladesh’s spin bowlers, Nahida Akter (3/18) and Sanjida Akter Meghla (3/21), played crucial roles in restricting Pakistan, earning the Player of the Match award for Nahida. Wahab acknowledged their skill but emphasized that Pakistan’s issues lay in their execution, not the pitch conditions.
“I think they bowled well, but the wicket didn’t have much spin or grip. It’s about execution. You should have finished the game two or three overs earlier. If you’re not scoring, any opposition can catch you, and then it becomes tougher.”
Wahab calls for senior players to step up
Wahab urged senior players to take on more responsibility in critical moments.
“The senior players need to take responsibility. They have to read the situation better. It was less than six runs an over, yet the execution wasn’t right. They have to step up.”
Wahab concluded by stating that Pakistan needed to play smarter cricket rather than relying on big shots.
“This game does not require smashing the ball. You need to be more sensible and understand how to control the game better.”