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Things could not have gone better for Pakistan on last day of T20 World Cup Super 12 stage. Netherlands pulled off an unlikely win against South Africa to make the Pakistan vs Bangladesh clash a virtual quarter-final. Riding high on confidence after convincing win over South Africa, Babar Azam-led Pakistan outclassed Bangladesh to book their semi-final berth. After a near-miraculous comeback, Babar gave an emotional speech in the dressing room to his troops.
“We had belief. We got some light and we played to ensure we got into semis today. We were excited and nervous but it did not affect our performance. Whatever happens, we have to give 100% effort. The type of performance we have put in the last 2 games, we have to continue that form only. Whatever is the task in hand of a particular person, he should finish it,” Babar said in a video shared on Twitter by Pakistan Cricket.
The 28-year-old also lauded Mohammad Haris, whose presence in the top-order changed Pakistan’s fortunes and solved the scoring rate problem in the first half of the innings.
“Outstanding Haris. These small things will give you confidence. When you finish a match, your confidence level will be on a different level. When we were in an advantageous position in the match, you did not throw away your wicket. The next match, you’ll play differently because your confidence level would be very high,” the opener backed Haris to perform in the semi-final against New Zealand on November 9 at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Haris made his T20 World Cup debut against South Africa and contributed with a cameo of 11-ball 28 after the openers returned to the pavillion in the powerplay overs. Against Bangladesh, he contributed with an 18-ball 31 to boost the run rate in middle overs in a low-scoring run chase.
Earlier in the tournament, in another video posted on Twitter by Pakistan Cricket, Babar was seen motivating his troops after a narrow loss to arch-rivals India in their opening game of the tournament. Babar called Mohammad Nawaz his “match winner” despite him being not able to defend 16 runs in the final over.
