"I will regret this" - Imad Wasim says he let Pakistan down with scratchy knock in 2024 T20 World Cup clash vs India
Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim struggled to get going with the bat in the team's crucial 2024 T20 World Cup fixture against arch-rivals India in New York on June 9. The Men in Green suffered a heartbreaking six-run loss in the low-scoring thriller.
The Babar Azam-led side looked to be in the pole position after bundling out India for just 119. However, the score proved to be enough on the tricky pitch, as Pakistan finished at 113/7 in 20 overs.
Wasim was sent in to bat at No. 5 ahead of Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan, but the veteran player couldn't deliver. Pakistan were 73/3 in 12.2 overs when the southpaw came at the crease.
He played a sluggish knock, scoring just 15 runs from 23 balls. Speaking ahead of Pakistan's upcoming match against Ireland, Wasim admitted that he failed to do the job for his team in the marquee clash.
Stating that he regrets how he batted in the run-chase, here's what Imad Wasim said during a media interaction:
"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. But this is life.
"Sometimes you make mistakes. 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 suffered back-to-back losses to the United States of America (USA) and India at the start of their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. While they beat Canada by seven wickets to get off the mark on the points table, their hopes of making it to the Super 8 round were dashed as USA finished with five points, securing the second place in Group A.
"The move of the runs in that over was a turning point" - Imad Wasim on the 17th over of Pakistan's innings
Imad Wasim played three dot balls off Axar Patel's bowling in the 16th over and Pakistan managed to score just two runs of those six balls. Hardik Pandya ensured that the pressure was not released, claiming a wicket and giving away just five runs in the subsequent over.
Imad Wasim mentioned that while he wanted the take the game deep, the tight 17th over from Pandya severely dented Pakistan's chances. The 35-year-old added:
"Usually, under pressure, bowlers give you a ball and there is a margin. But I think I was taking the game deep and I was hoping that a new batsman would come and for that it is virtually impossible. But Naseem hit two good shots. That 17th over, I think, I feel that the move of the runs in that over was a turning point.
"It’s unfortunate that it happens, it’s an incident but it was a big game. Our team and I are more disappointed than you are."
Pakistan would hope to bow out of the 2024 T20 World Cup with a consolation win against Ireland in Florida on Sunday, June 16.