Imad Wasim is an exceptional talent: Shoaib Malik

Pakistan’s bowlers once again failed to get going in the second T20I against South Africa. Consequently, the Proteas ended up posting a big total of 188 for 8 and win the game by seven runs to seal the series with a match remaining. The only bowler who did well was their spin-bowling allrounder Imad Wasim.

In a match where none of his fellow-bowlers conceded less than 6 runs per over, Imad gave away just nine runs off his four overs. The allrounder also gave Pakistan the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing debutant Janneman Malan and end the 58-run opening stand.

The latest bowling show has only extended Imad’s impressive show on the tour. He was one of Pakistan’s most impressive performers in the ODIs. He scored crucial runs towards the end and kept the South Africa batsmen under check with his disciplined bowling. But just like the ODIs, his fellow bowlers failed to do well in T2oIs too as Pakistan saw their 11 series-winning run in the format coming to an end.

Riding on Babar Azam’s 90-run knock, the Men in Green came up with a valiant batting effort but fell short by seven runs. They lost 4 wickets in the last two overs to lose the game from a winning position and end on 181 for 7. After the game, skipper Shoaib Malik was all praise for Imad, hailing the allrounder as an ‘exceptional talent’.

“Imad Wasim is an exceptional talent and he has been performing for our team. We need a couple more guys to perform like Imad has been performing,” said Malik.

High praise for Babar

Malik also lavished praise on Babar who single-handedly kept Pakistan in the game. Despite losing his opening partner Fakhar Zaman cheaply, Babar kept firm from one end to keep alive visitors’ hopes. He scored 90 off 58 and shared a 102-run stand with Hussain Talat (55). However, once he was dismissed in the 17th over, Pakistan lost track and conceded the series as well.

“Babar is a class player, especially when you’re playing on good pitches, against a good attack, you have to play cricketing shots, which he has done, and has been successful. The same applies to Talat. The game shouldn’t have reached the 20th over, but that happens.

“The ball was new when the set batsmen were batting and when the new batsmen come in, it’s hard for them to get going. It’s important to finish things off, and we need to talk about our performance in the last few overs,” Malik further added.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from New Zealand vs India series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.