Wahab asks for patience as Pakistan women regroup after India defeat

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan women’s team coach Wahab Riaz has urged patience as the side adjusts to a new approach under his leadership following a heavy defeat to India in the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Wahab, who has been in charge since the start of the year, said the transition in style would take time after Pakistan lost by 64 runs in Birmingham on Sunday. He said the team was trying to move towards a more aggressive model in the shortest format, particularly with intent in the powerplay and bigger totals overall.

“We just took over like in last four months,” he said after the 64-run loss. “We have took over this Pakistan cricket team and you cannot make a lot of changes into the way they have been playing and to change the way the pattern of the way they were playing before and now. So obviously it will take some time. The good thing is that what we want to do is that we want to compete to the international strategies where you need to score more runs in the powerplay. You need to score 170 at least to be in the game and you have to maintain that thing going on.”

Pakistan showed signs of the attacking brand Wahab wants despite the result, and at stages appeared composed enough to control parts of the contest before errors in concentration allowed India to take charge.

Strong starts with bat and ball

Pakistan made an encouraging beginning in the field as Sadia Iqbal returned figures of 2-41 and removed Shafali Verma in the opening over. Jemimah Rodrigues, batting at first drop, was also dismissed soon afterwards, putting Pakistan in a strong early position.

There was also a promising start in the chase. Openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza added 38 runs for the first wicket, with Muneeba making 41 and Gull scoring 12. However, India’s greater depth in the XI ultimately separated the two teams as Pakistan were unable to build on their early advantage either with the bat or the ball.

Focus turns to South Africa

Pakistan will next face South Africa at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with Wahab making clear that his outlook and methods will remain unchanged as the team seeks to bounce back against what he described as a talented Proteas side.

He said there were positives to take from the performance and stressed that Pakistan remained in the tournament to compete for wins.

“There are some glimpse of positiveness, and we will take that,” said the former Pakistan pacer. “We know it is always going to be a game of nerves, and I think we are working hard on it. I think we are here to win. I think we just need to make less mistakes and we just have to believe in ourselves. We have to play more positive cricket, more fearless cricket. I think that’s what it is.”