A day out from the T20 World Cup 2022 final against England at the MCG, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan recalled the thrilling game against India at the start of the Super 12 round, also at the MCG.
India achieved a come-from-behind victory in the game courtesy of Virat Kohli’s greatest T20I knock, scoring 82* off 53 balls. With 28 needed off the last 8 balls, Kohli smoked Haris Rauf for 2 sixes before India prevailed in a manic, chaotic last over by Mohammad Nawaz, which included wides, no-balls, wickets, runs off the stumps on free-hit, a six, culminating in a cheeky left from Ashwin and a loft for a single on the last ball.
We gave our 100 percent: Shadab Khan
Even though India inched past the finish line on the last ball as Kohli produced one of the greatest ever T20 knocks, Shadab Khan believes that Pakistan were the better team on the night and they had given their all on the field.
“We just wanted to give our 100 percent. We knew if we give our 100 percent, the result will come on our side. And that game, we gave our 100 percent. We didn’t finish it but we knew that we are a better side than them,” Shadab said in a chat with Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old leg-spinner, who is Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain, further talked about the pressure of the India-Pakistan match.
“Pakistan-India game is a big game. For us. For them as well. So we have to try to win that game. Since childhood we also think, doesn’t matter about the other things, if we are winning the World Cup or not….we have to beat India. And the same pressure we are feeling now. That’s the pressure you carry. Doesn’t matter if you are playing or not,” Shadab added.
After the loss to India, Pakistan was shockingly defeated by Zimbabwe. However, their victories over the Netherlands, South Africa, and Bangladesh and South Africa losing to the Netherlands meant Pakistan snuck into the semi-final, where they defeated New Zealand, and booked a berth in the final, back at the MCG.
