PERTH: Pakistan batsman Shan Masood warned that his “demoralised” side must pick themselves up quickly and keep believing if they are to salvage their fading Twenty20 World Cup dreams.
Pakistan suffered a shock one-run loss to Zimbabwe in Perth on Thursday, four days after they went down to arch-rivals India in their tournament opener in similarly agonising fashion.
One of the pre-tournament favourites, they now must win all their remaining games — starting with the Netherlands on Sunday — and hope other results go their way.
“We have three games that are in our hands, yes, we have to depend on few other results, but that’s the beauty of sport,” Masood, who made 44 before Zimbabwe choked Pakistan to 129-8, told reporters in Perth.
“There are funny things that have happened in sport and we are going to believe and we are going to give it all in these three games.”
Their bowlers kept Zimbabwe down to 130-8, but Pakistan faltered in their chase with Pakistan-born Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza taking three key wickets, including Masood, in the space of nine balls.
With 11 needed off the final over, Pakistan fell just short to hand Zimbabwe a famous victory.
“There is disappointment, no doubt. To lose two matches with fine margins is very demoralising as we know the importance of every point in this group,” Masood said.
