PAK vs CAN: 'This was given to you on plate, and you...' - Waqar Younis criticizes Pakistan's 'horrible' show against India

Legendary Pakistani pacer and former coach, Waqar Younis, has shared his thoughts on the thrilling encounter between India and Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 9.

Younis expressed disappointment over Pakistan's missed opportunity, as Team India proved all the predictions wrong and won the last-over thriller by 6 runs against the Men in Green in the high-voltage and entertaining T20 World Cup 2024 encounter in New York on Sunday.

Waqar Younis slams Pakistan's batting in heartbreaking T20 World Cup 2024 loss to India

He said that the Indian cricket team had given a win to the Pakistan cricket team on a plate, thanks to their subpar batting performance, but Babar Azam and his players badly failed to grab this golden opportunity.

Younis believed that India could have set a higher target of 140–150 runs had they batted more effectively on the tricky surface of Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

Despite India's flop batting show, the Men in Blue pulled off a thriller against Pakistan, and Younis credited their strong bowling and fielding efforts, particularly praising the performances of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja.

He mentioned that the Indian bowlers have the ability to compensate for their such batting performance with their stunning bowling. Reflecting on Pakistan's performance against India, Younis described the home team’s batting as "horrible”.

Younis lamented their failure to capitalize on the favorable momentum and partnerships established during the blockbuster match. The cricket expert further stressed the need for Pakistan to improve their batting strategy and execution, as they are in danger of progressing further in the mega event.

Pakistan spilled a golden opportunity against a super team: Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis said on Star Sports: “I think India gave Pakistan a good chance of winning this game by batting poorly. They could have easily put up maybe 140-150. Losing those seven wickets right at the end didn't really help. However, India is such a good balanced side. If they don't bat well, they know they have got (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj, Ravindra (Jadeja) - they have their bowling and fielding also really covered.

They are a super team. Pakistan - if you can't win this game, what should I say? This was given to you on a plate and Pakistan really spilled it. It was a horrible performance by the Pakistani batters. There were a few partnerships in the beginning but they couldn't really finish the game.”

Younis further mentioned that this game was in Pakistan’s hands, but a “very ordinary” shot from Mohammad Rizwan against Bumrah turned the match in favor of India. The former legend said that he knew something special was going to happen in this match because of Bumrah and Siraj.

The Pakistani great said that Hardik Pandya might have failed to score runs, but he bowled at a good pace and banged the ball short, which was required on this surface. He felt Indian bowlers used their slower ones really well, saying, “Pakistan played badly, but I think it was the brilliance of India's bowling.”