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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has urged the need to show intent in the opening six overs after his side secured a five-wicket victory against Zimbabwe.
Pakistan chased down the 148-run target in 19.2 overs, losing five wickets in the process in the opening match of the tri-series here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan played a vital role after the Green Shirts were reduced to 54-4 in 9.3 overs.
The duo stitched a vital 61-run stand. Fakhar’s 32-ball 44 included two sixes and two fours, while Usman Khan’s gutsy 37 from 28 featured three fours.
Speaking in the post-match presentation, Agha emphasized a better start and hailed the spinners’ role in the team’s victory.
“It was a close game, we didn’t start well bowling and bat, and when you don’t start well, it tends to get close,” he said.
“The spinners have been doing well for that last 4-5 months, whoever comes, and they’re the ones that put us back in the game,” Agha maintained.
He noted that the pitch was on the low-scoring side, and his side was pleased with the bowling in the second half of Zimbabwe’s innings.
“When we came last night and saw the pitch, I knew it wasn’t going to be very high scoring, lately it’s not been in Pindi. It’s a 160-180 kind of a pitch, but we bowled really well. Was very happy to chase 147,” the skipper revealed.
Salman Ali Agha stressed the need to capitalize on the first six overs of the game.
“We need to start well, bowling or batting. The powerplay we need to be ruthless. That’s what I’m going to talk about,” he concluded.
READ: Tri-Series: Nawaz reflects on Pakistan’s victory over Zimbabwe
