USA vs PAK: Not loss against Virat Kohli-starrer India! Babar Azam reveals most painful defeat for Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2022

Pakistan captain Babar Azam opened up about their campaign in the last T20 World Cup. He stated that the loss against Zimbabwe hurt them more than it was against India because they played good cricket in that game. 

Pakistan had a sensational campaign in the T20 World Cup 2022. The Babar Azam-led side started pretty slow as they bagged some disappointing losses but after that, they staged a magnificent comeback and went on to play the final of the tournament against England. 

Pakistan first faced a heartbreaking loss against India. They had the game in their grasp for most of the match but it was the brilliance of Virat Kohli with the bat that took India home. He won the game for his team from the jaws of defeat. 

Things got worse for Pakistan after they faced a loss against Zimbabwe. They failed to chase the target of 131 runs as they came under pressure after they lost a few early wickets. Sikandar Raza tilted the game in his team’s favor with his double-wicket over. 

Pakistan failed to score eight runs off the last over against Zimbabwe as they lost the game and looked completely down in the tournament. However, after that, they won matches on the trot and reached the final before losing to England in the thriller of a game. 

Babar Azam talked about the T20 World Cup 2022 clash against India and said that they should’ve pulled the game as they were in control. He also still couldn’t get over the loss against Zimbabwe, claiming that it hurt them more than the loss against India. Speaking to the PCB podcast, he explained:

“In 2022, I feel we should have won the match against India, but they pulled it off in the end. Our loss against Zimbabwe was very hurtful. (on being asked if it hurts more than loss against India) Kind of, because we played good cricket in that game.

“Even in the match with India, we played well and people praised us that we lost after putting up a fight. But I feel we could’ve won that match.”

What kept us from winning the final was Shaheen’s injury - Babar Azam 

During the final of the tournament, Pakistan was jolted by the injury of Shaheen Afridi. The pacer was looking threatening but during the last few overs, he walked off the field and Pakistan was left short of one quality bowler, which cost them. 

Babar Azam admits that too and added that had Shaheen Afridi not gotten injured during the game, the result could’ve been different for them. He said that that is the biggest regret that he has from the last World Cup. He added: 

“What kept us from winning the final was Shaheen’s injury. If he hadn’t been injured, it could’ve been a different ball game. Because the pressure was on England at that time giving the spinner the over because of Shaheen’s injury made the difference. I regret that moment and often wonder, ‘What if?”

Babar Azam will be captaining the Pakistan team in the T20 World Cup 2024. They will open their campaign against the USA on June 6.