IND vs NED: "Pakistan Would Have Won The Match 99 Percent"- Mohammad Amir Recalls 'The Turning Point Of The Game'

Despite the team’s remarkable growth under his guidance, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been in trouble. The squad advanced to the final four of the T20 World Cup last year and finished second in the Asia Cup earlier this year.

However, following the setback against Sri Lanka in the continental tournament final, many fingers have been pointed at one of contemporary cricket’s greatest batsmen.

Similar sentiments were expressed after Pakistan was defeated by India by four wickets in the T20 World Cup in Melbourne on Sunday. Following the result, former captain Salim Malik lashed out at Babar, urging the 28-year-old to step down as captain.

Mohammad Amir Points Out Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam’s Calculation Mistakes

Former Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir had similar sentiments when analyzing the Super 12 match between India and Pakistan. During the conversation, Amir pointed out two instances when Babar’s calculations were incorrect, naming one of them the “turning point” of the conflict.

He began by praising Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fitness, noting that he had surrendered 34 runs in his quota while failing to take a single wicket.

“You have to assess the situation from all four corners when you are the captain. When you found out that Shaheen was not in the rhythm to bowl his first two overs.

You should have understood that he isn’t fit to bowl in the death overs. Could have bowled Shaheen’s two overs in the middle as he could have picked wickets.

“The way they (Indian batters) smashed sixes against Nawaz, they wouldn’t have hit them against Shaheen. Had Shaheen bowled there (11th over), all you wanted was one wicket. If either Pandya or Kohli got out at that point, then you had the chance to win the game,” said Amir in a video shared on ICA Sports’ YouTube channel.

Haris Rauf Should Have Bowled The 18th Over: Mohammad Amir

He then skipped to the point where India needed 48 runs in the final three overs. At that moment, Babar had sent the ball to Shaheen, who gave 17 runs in the over, lowering the equation to 31 runs off the final two overs.

Amir feels Babar made a mistake at this juncture and should have instead bowled to Haris Rauf, who was smashed for two sixes by Virat Kohli in the next over.

“The turning point of the game was India needing 48 runs in three overs to win. While the equation was at 60 in the last five overs, Haris conceded just 4-5 runs and then Naseem gave seven runs. To score 48 runs in three overs is not an easy job for any batter.

“As a captain, you should have thought about who your stop bowler is in such a situation. If Haris would have bowled at that point, with the kind of rhythm he was bowling, Pakistan would have won the match 99 percent. Haris might have picked up the wicket of either Pandya or Kohli in the 18th over,” the ex-cricketer further stated.

Kohli spearheaded India’s 160-run chase, which was accomplished in the penultimate ball of the game, with an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls.

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