Twenty20 series: Happy with the way players are responding, says Hafeez
Pakistan captain ecstatic after series-win over Australia in the UAE.
DUBAI:
Pakistan won the second Twenty20 against Australia in a thrilling Super Over finish at the Dubai Stadium on Friday, taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with captain Mohammad Hafeez thrilled by the series win.
"It was an exciting finish," said Hafeez. "It was tense, but you know Twenty20 cricket can bring such tense moments. In the end I am happy that we won, even though it was in the Super over. I think we fought well in the 40 overs.
"It's a great sign as captain. I am happy in the way players are responding to me as captain. Everyone is confident and this is a great sign for the team ahead of the World Twenty20. I feel very proud of my team and I hope from here on they will continue also in the mega event."
With both teams tied on 151 at the end of 40 fascinating overs, a Super over round was played for the result. Pakistan chased the 12-run target set by Australia to win the Super over and take the series 2-0.
Bailey surprised by ranking
Meanwhile, Australian skipper George Bailey was left scratching his head as to how his side was now ranked below Ireland in the Twenty20 rankings after the defeat.
"That does not look good but I am still not sure how the rankings work," said Bailey. "So Ireland goes past us when we haven't played Ireland in a T20. If Ireland is a better side than us then I guess it will show in a couple of weeks in Sri Lanka."
The third and last match will be played tomorrow in Dubai.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.
Pakistan won the second Twenty20 against Australia in a thrilling Super Over finish at the Dubai Stadium on Friday, taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with captain Mohammad Hafeez thrilled by the series win.
"It was an exciting finish," said Hafeez. "It was tense, but you know Twenty20 cricket can bring such tense moments. In the end I am happy that we won, even though it was in the Super over. I think we fought well in the 40 overs.
"It's a great sign as captain. I am happy in the way players are responding to me as captain. Everyone is confident and this is a great sign for the team ahead of the World Twenty20. I feel very proud of my team and I hope from here on they will continue also in the mega event."
With both teams tied on 151 at the end of 40 fascinating overs, a Super over round was played for the result. Pakistan chased the 12-run target set by Australia to win the Super over and take the series 2-0.
Bailey surprised by ranking
Meanwhile, Australian skipper George Bailey was left scratching his head as to how his side was now ranked below Ireland in the Twenty20 rankings after the defeat.
"That does not look good but I am still not sure how the rankings work," said Bailey. "So Ireland goes past us when we haven't played Ireland in a T20. If Ireland is a better side than us then I guess it will show in a couple of weeks in Sri Lanka."
The third and last match will be played tomorrow in Dubai.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.