T20 World Cup: Captain Babar Azam slams Pakistan batters after shock 1-run defeat to Zimbabwe

Pakistan captain Babar Azam was dejected after his side suffered a shocking 1-run defeat to a spirited Zimbabwe side in a Super 12 match at the T20 World Cup days after losing to India in a last-over thriller on Thursday.

Babar slammed Pakistan batters for putting up a disappointing performance as his side suffered a strong blow in the race for the semifinals after they were handed a second straight defeat in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The low-scoring affair saw Pakistan manage 129/8 in response to Zimbabwe's 130/8.

"Very disappointing performance for my team. We were not up to the mark in the batting," Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

"We had a bad first six overs, but Shadab and Shan built a partnership but unfortunately Shadab, out and then back to back wickets and pressure built on the batting," Babar added.

Pakistan's chase got off to a rocky start, squeezed at 36-3 in the eighth



over with the world's top-ranked T20 batsman, Mohammed Rizwan, back in the dugout for 14 having chopped a delivery from two-metre tall Blessing Muzarabani (1-18) on to his stumps.

It was left to Shaan Masood to steady the ship with a composed 44, regularly exploiting the large outfield to run twos. But Raza further pegged back the Asian side with his off-spin, having Masood stumped off a wide.

After losing the toss earlier, Pakistan's much-vaunted pace attack bowled too full in the powerplay overs, conceding 47 runs, although quick wickets to dismiss the Zimbabwe openers kept the rate in check.

However, Babar promised that Pakistan would learn from their mistakes and put up a strong fightback in the upcoming matches of the T20 World Cup.

"First six overs we are not using the new ball good. Later on we finished well. We'll sit together and learn from our mistakes and come back hard next match," Babar further said.