Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has claimed that Babar Azam and his teammates postponed a paid fan meet event following the humiliating defeat against the United States in the ongoing ICC T20 Men’s World Cup 2024.
Pakistan began their campaign with a shock defeat against the co-hosts in Dallas this week. While the Men in Green were not really in good shape coming into the tournament, not many expected them to suffer a loss against the United States. However, Pakistan’s tendency to suffer unexpected defeats in the World Cup once again manifested itself against the co-hosts.
After the defeat, the Pakistan team reportedly decided to postpone a scheduled fan meeting in New York. On Friday (June 7), Rashid Latif made the revelation on social media. The former cricketer had previously revealed that the Pakistan team is organizing “welcome events” in the US for fans to charge them $25.
Rashid Latif took to events during a World Cup?”
Who provides the tour schedule in advance to whom? Are these pre-established? Who approves events during a World Cup? @TheRealPCBMedia pic.twitter.com/juYxdjcZp7
—Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) June 7, 2024
Babar Azam on defeat:
After the loss against the United States, Pakistan captain Babar Azam lamented that his team had failed to do well with the bat and the ball in the powerplay. Pakistan lost as many as three wickets in the powerplay and eventually ended their innings at 159/7. In response, the United States also finished their innings with 159 before winning the game via Super Over.
Pakistan’s next match is against arch-rivals India, scheduled to be played on Sunday (June 9) in New York. Babar Azam’s team is currently in third place in the standings and cannot afford any more mistakes. A defeat against India will put them on the brink of elimination from the World Cup.
Even in the last edition of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan lost their first two games before winning three in a row to reach the semi-final. They finally finished runners-up in the competition. Pakistan will also hope to turn things around in the ongoing tournament.