NEW YORK - A combined bowling attack, followed by Mohammad Rizwan’s half-century propelled Pakistan to a must-win victory over Canada in the 22nd match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here on Tuesday. Set to chase 107, Pakistan amassed the total for the loss of three wickets and 15 balls to spare, courtesy of an anchoring second-wicket partnership between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan’s new opening pair of Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan failed to give them a decent start as the left-handed batter perished in the fifth over with just 20 runs on the board.
Ayub scored a scratchy six off 12 deliveries. Babar then joined Rizwan in the middle and the duo anchored the run chase with a gutsy partnership. They added 63 runs for the second wicket before Babar fell prey to Dilon Heyliger in the 15th over.
He scored a run-a-ball 33 with the help of one four and a six. Rizwan partnered briefly with Fakhar Zaman, who scored just four and perished on the second delivery of the 18th over with just three more required. Usman Khan then hit the winning runs for Pakistan when he guided one towards the midwicket region for a couple.
Mohammad Rizwan remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with an unbeaten 53 off as many deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a six. Dilon Heyliger led the bowling charge for Canada with 2/18 while Jeremy Gordon made one scalp. Sent into bat first, Canada only managed to register 106/7 on the board despite Aaron Johnson’s half-century.
Canada ha.