World T20 failure

Pakistan fail to make it into the semi-finals for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Pakistan were up against it right from the start as they lost to arch-rivals India in their opener by seven wickets, with the batting order posting a target of just 131. But the men in green fought back with wins over Australia and Bangladesh to set up a decider with the West Indies.

Having reduced the Caribbean side to 84-5 in 15 overs, it looked like Pakistan would continue their record of being the only team to reach the semis in all editions. However, Dwayne Bravo and skipper Darren Sammy took to the bowlers to set a daunting 167. Pakistan never recovered and were dismissed for just 82, the amount Bravo and Sammy made in the last five overs. The group-stage elimination eventually cost Muhammad Hafeez his captaincy.



In the semis, West Indies would go on to lose against Sri Lanka, who defeated India in the final to claim the tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Bangladesh.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st,  2014.

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