PAK vs ZIM: "The Hurt Remains After Losing Such A Big Match"- Iftikhar Ahmed After T20 World Cup Loss vs India

Iftikhar Ahmed of Pakistan said on Wednesday that his team was “heartbroken” and still suffering after the agonizing Twenty20 World Cup opener loss to archrival India.

In front of an ecstatic crowd of over 90,000 at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, Virat Kohli’s magnificent 82 not out propelled India to a surprising last-ball victory.

We Have To Learn From Our Mistakes: Iftikhar Ahmed

Pakistan’s Thursday match against Zimbabwe in Perth, which they are anticipated to win, leaves little opportunity for more miscues.

“The hurt remains after losing such a big match. We were heartbroken,” said Iftikhar, a middle-order batsman, who scored 51 runs in Pakistan’s 159-8 total, although it was ultimately insufficient.

Iftikhar Ahmed claimed that morale was good despite the still-present pain and commended captain Babar Azam for leading the squad following India’s defeat.

Azam gave his injured side a pep talk in a viral video that went viral.

“We have to learn from our mistakes. Don’t fall, the tournament has just begun. We have lost as a team and will win as a team,” Azam said in the widely watched video footage.

“The way Babar and the management supported the players, it was good. Babar and coaches told us that ‘it was not our last game, everybody put in the effort’,” Iftikhar said on Wednesday.

“So our morale is high.”

The Players Are Hungry To Perform: Iftikhar Ahmed

Pakistan will be heavily favored to defeat Zimbabwe, who are ranked 11 to Pakistan’s 3 in the world, and finally start their World Cup. Pakistan too needs a victory to boost its confidence.

“Zimbabwe is an international team and we have to play strong against them like any other team,” said the 32-year-old Iftikhar Ahmed.

“Important to play well and keep up the confidence. The players are hungry to perform.”

Haris Rauf, a Pakistani speed bowler, had a strong performance at the MCG before Kohli changed the game by hitting him for two consecutive sixes at the end of the 19th over.

“The Australian pitches are fast and bouncy and we have prepared for that. Haris is our main strike bowler and we expect him to bowl better here and win it for Pakistan,” said Iftikhar.

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