Cricket World Cup 2023: “This is cricket. You never know,” Babar Azam still HOPEFUL of impossible semifinal berth

Pakistan need to win the match by a minimum 287 runs or chase down whatever England posted on the scoreboard within 2.5 overs.

Cricket World Cup 2023: “This is cricket. You never know,” Babar Azam still HOPEFUL of impossible semifinal berth

Pakistan Cricket Team (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Pakistan are set to square off against England in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Saturday (November 11), which is also going to be their last Group stage match. That match will either see Pakistan getting eliminated from the 2023 ODI World Cup, or they can save themselves a berth in the semifinals by a miracle, as Pakistan skipper Babar Azam believes.

Pakistan need to win the match by a minimum 287 runs or chase down whatever England posted on the scoreboard within 2.5 overs. If Babar loses the toss and English skipper Jos Buttler chooses to bat first, the team will eventually get knocked out of the tournament, given that they won’t get the chance to boost their NRR.

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Babar, on the eve of the match, said the Net Run Rate (NRR) is in their minds, and that if opener Fakhar Zaman stays at the crease for around 20–30 overs, Pakistan may reach their goal. Though Babar as captain is still optimistic, Pakistan are likely to miss out on qualifying for the semifinals for a third consecutive time in the World Cup.

I would say if Fakhar is [batting] in the match for 20 or 30 overs, we can achieve that. Then follow up with [Mohammad] Rizwan, [and] Iftikhar [Ahmed]. We can do this, and we have planned for this. There is one match left. This is cricket. You never know.
Babar said in the pre-match press conference.

Babar Azam says the outside noise has not distracted him

The poor performance in the World Cup has invited criticism from fans and media, but Babar Azam said critics’ remarks did not affect him or the team. Babar in fact criticized those who say he is under pressure.

Babar Azam
Pakistan Cricket Team (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

The Pakistan skipper said he has been captaining the side for the last two-and-a-half to three years, and that if someone wants to give him advice, he has given everyone his phone number. On the captaincy change, the skipper said he is not focusing on that, and that he will see it after the World Cup or when they go back to Pakistan.

And about his performances, he said though he had high expectations, he couldn’t perform well. He scored 282 runs with four fifties.

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