Younis Khan insults Babar Azam years after retiring; shows him the mirror in front of the world for T20 World Cup debacle
Published - 04 Jul 2024, 10:40 AM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 04:00 AM
Former Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan opened up about the Babar Azam-led team's dismal T20 World Cup 2024 performance during the World Championship of Legends 2024. Younis Khan stated that they were motivated to win the game for their country following Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup.
The Men in Green had a forgettable outing in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. The Pakistan team started their campaign with a shocking loss against the USA. Pakistan then lost to arch-rivals India in their next match, denting their chances to reach the Super Eight stage.
The Babar Azam-led team registered victories against Canada and Ireland in their last two matches in the group stage. However, they failed to finish in the top two places in the Group A table. Team India and the United States of America advanced to the Super Eight stage in the marquee tournament from Group A.
We Felt That We Had To Win This Game - Younis Khan
Younis Khan is currently representing Pakistan Champions during the World Championship of Legends 2024. Pakistan Champions registered a five-wicket victory over Australia Champions in the second match of the tournament at the Edgbaston Cricket Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday, July 3.
Skipper Younis Khan received the "Player of the Match" award for his excellent batting performance. After the match, Younis mentioned that their team had limited practice due to commitments with television work during the World Cup. The skipper emphasized that their spirits were high.
"We haven't had much practice, as we had been busy doing television work for the World Cup. We just finished and traveled here, but our spirits are very high because, after what happened in the World Cup, we felt that we had to win this game for our country," Younis Khan said.
Player of the Match Younis Khan "We haven't had much practice, as we had been busy doing television work for the World Cup. We just finished and travelled here, but our spirits are very high because after what happened in the World Cup, we felt that we had to win this game for… p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->f<!---->P<!---->G<!---->9<!---->c<!---->E<!---->S<!---->3<!---->A<!---->k
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Pakistan opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Shaun Marsh struggled to score runs as he was dismissed for 16 runs off 20 balls. Aaron Finch scored 68 runs off 40 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes. Finch's aggressive batting set a solid foundation for the team in the second match of the event.
Callum Ferguson scored an unbeaten 26 runs off 16 balls, including two boundaries and a six. Lower-order batter Nathan Coulter-Nile added a quickfire knock of 25 runs off 10 balls, with two fours and as many sixes. Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi were the standout bowlers for Pakistan, each taking two wickets.
Pakistan started poorly, losing two wickets for 24 runs. Younis Khan (63 runs off 41 balls) and Misbah-ul-Haq (unbeaten 46 off 30) forged a match-winning 90-run partnership after Pakistan were reduced to 79/4 in 8.3 overs. The Younis Khan-led side chased down the target with five wickets and two balls to spare.