Karachi : Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has said that his side’s chances of winning the World T20 cannot be ruled out, insisting that Shahid Afridi’s side can turn out to be a surprise package and can steal the show in the prestigious tournament.
Earlier, Afridi produced a scintillating all-round performance as he smashed quick-fire 49 off just 19 balls to help Pakistan cruise to a 55-run win over Bangladesh in their opening group match of the World T20 at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
Backing his side to win the T20 format’s pinnacle event, the 41-year-old said that his side’s top order batsmen displayed a remarkable performance in their campaign opener and were able to shut down their critics.
Misbah further lavished praise on Afridi for his match-winning contribution against Bangladesh, saying that if the flamboyant all-rounder continues his present form then he would surely guide his side to the World T20 glory, the Express Tribune reported.
Admitting that the matches against India were always crunch and generate pressure, the middle-order batsman called on his side to dismiss the opposition’s top-order batsmen as early as possible as they could not afford to lose a game against Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side.
Misbah, however, said that India’s defeat against New Zealand in the opening match had not dented their chance to win the tournament, saying that one defeat could not make or break any team.
Pakistan will now play their next match against fierce-rivals and hosts India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.
The ICC had earlier moved Pakistan’s group match against India to Kolkata due to security concerns in Dharamsala. (ANI)