NEW YORK: Despite embarrassing back-to-back defeats Pakistan suffered at the hands of the United States and India, fans still hope that the Babar Azam-led men will move into the next round of the T20 World Cup.

Indeed, a facile seven-wicket victory against Canada here at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday gave them a new ray of hope.

The current scenario for Pakistan at the global event is something like this: if India in their remaining Group A matches beat the US as well as Ireland and Pakistan win their last group match against Ireland then there are chances for the Green-shirts to qualify for the Super Eight round of the 20-nation extravaganza.

Rabia Aftab, who came all the way from Michigan to witness Pakistan’s match against Canada, said that she extremely glad to see Pakistan winning.

Shiraz, another Pakistan supporter, said that he was still expecting the team to advance at the global competition.

She said that after Pakistan’s defeat to India, she decided to come to New York to support Pakistan.

“I love Pakistan that’s why I am here to support my team,” she said while talking to Dawn on Tuesday.

“Today, we won [against Canada]. I am super happy. Let’s hope for the best for Pakistan’s next match against Ireland,” he said.

Abrar Shah, a New York-based Pakistani-American who watched Tuesday’s match along with his family, said that he was backing Pakistan with heart and soul.

“Pakistan could have won comfortably against India [while chasing 120 for victory] but poor planning deprived us of the chance to celebrate,” he lamented.

Mujtaba Ali said that he was upset by Pakistan’s humiliating six-run defeat to India.

“Our bowlers did a great job against India but the batters failed to grab this golden opportunity to beat India,” he told Dawn and reckoned that as a result, the Green-shirts’ chances to qualify for Super Eight looked slim.

“[But] still we are looking towards this team because we love Pakistan,” he expressed.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2024