Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim found himself in a tough spot during the crucial 2024 T20 World Cup clash against arch-rivals India in New York. The Men in Green were chasing a modest target of 120 runs, but the tricky pitch made it a challenging task. Unfortunately, Wasim’s bat failed to fire, and his scratchy knock of 15 runs off 23 balls left Pakistan six runs short of victory.
Imad Wasim’s Missed Opportunity
Imad Wasim was sent in to bat at No. 5, ahead of Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan. With Pakistan at 73/3 in 12.2 overs, the southpaw had a crucial role to play. However, he struggled to find his rhythm, playing a sluggish innings that ultimately cost his team dearly. Speaking candidly after the match, Wasim admitted, “I let down because usually when I go in this situation, I am very calm and finish the job. And this was my job to finish, which I couldn’t do. I will regret this and I still regret it.”
The Turning Point
The 17th over of Pakistan’s innings proved to be a pivotal moment. Facing Axar Patel, Wasim played three dot balls, and Pakistan managed to score just two runs off those six deliveries. Hardik Pandya followed up with a tight over, claiming a wicket and conceding only five runs. Wasim’s desire to take the game deep collided with the pressure of the situation, and that 17th over became a turning point.
Ball by ball of Imad Wasim iconic 15(23) Vs India must win game. #ImadWasim #PAKvsIND #PAKvIND #T20WorldCup
— Raj Paladi (@IamRajPaladi) June 10, 2024
In his reflective words, Imad Wasim acknowledged that mistakes happen in life. “Sometimes you make mistakes,” he said. “But life is like that—sometimes you make mistakes. So, you can say that this was a phase in my life that I unfortunately could not achieve. I will regret it, but my execution was not good.”
Pakistan faced back-to-back losses to the United States of America (USA) and India at the start of their T20 World Cup campaign. Despite a win against Canada, their hopes of advancing to the Super 8 round were dashed. Imad Wasim’s regretful innings will serve as a reminder of the fine margins in cricket, where every run counts and every missed opportunity weighs heavily on a player’s mind.
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