"You should learn from Pakistan how to make an easy job difficult" - Navjot Sidhu criticizes Men in Green's batting in 2024 T20 WC win vs Ireland
Navjot Singh Sidhu has criticized Pakistan's batting for making heavy weather of a seemingly easy chase in their 2024 T20 World Cup clash against Ireland. He noted that their bowlers had virtually laid the game on a platter for them.
Pakistan restricted Ireland to 106/9 after asking them to bat first in Lauderhill, Florida, on Sunday, June 16. They chased the below-par target down with three wickets and seven deliveries to spare to end their campaign with a win.
Reviewing the game on Star Sports, Sidhu was asked about his thoughts on Pakistan's unconvincing chase.
"What can you do if the batters don't perform? Only the captain scored 32 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Amir had put the match in the bag. Mohammad Amir took two wickets, and Shaheen Shah Afridi and Imad Wasim took three apiece. Their balls were stopping and coming, and turning as well," he replied.
"I felt they would win easily. It was mandatory to win peacefully. The pitch had become drier and better and the bowling was not that strong. You get fame when you make a difficult job easy. However, you should learn from Pakistan how to make an easy job difficult," the former India opener added.
Babar Azam (32* off 34) was the only Pakistan player to reach 20. Fakhar Zaman (5), Usman Khan (2), Shadab Khan (0) and Imad Wasim (4) lost their wickets in quick succession as the Men in Green were reduced to 62/6 at one stage after being comfortably placed at 52/2.
"It doesn't matter to the cowards but for the respectable, infamy is equal to death" - Navjot Sidhu on Pakistan's win
However, Navjot Sidhu praised Pakistan for avoiding another ignominious defeat.
"The heart was in the mouth. It seemed at one stage, when the sixth wicket fell at around 65, that the match was stuck. It was on an even keel. However, people who don't fight for their pride are meek. It doesn't matter to the cowards but for the respectable, infamy is equal to death," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator reckons the win against Ireland could help in Pakistan's revival.
"I feel, considering how much Pakistan have been criticized, this win will work as an elixir for them. When a person starts drinking poison every day, two drops of elixir are enough to live his life. Their bowling has been a very good takeaway," Sidhu stated.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/22), Imad Wasim (3/8) and Mohammad Amir (2/11) were Pakistan's star performers with the ball. Afridi was awarded the Player of the Match as he also scored a crucial unbeaten 13 off five balls, including the winning six.