(AP Photo)
The Canadian team celebrated a historic victory in the T20 World Cup, clinching their maiden win against Ireland in the 2024 edition held at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
In the post-match presentation, Canadian skipper Saad Bin Zafar expressed immense satisfaction with his team’s performance. He commended the batting duo of Nicholas Kirton and Shreyas Movva for their solid partnership, acknowledging their contribution in setting a competitive total.
Zafar remarked, “It’s a moment of great pride for the team. Kirton and Movva’s batting performance assured us of a defendable total.”
Additionally, the captain lauded the collective effort of the bowlers, highlighting their cohesive display as a source of pride for the team.
He added, “We needed a good performance from the bowling unit and I am so proud of my bowlers for putting their hands up and delivering”.
Addressing the slower pitch conditions, Canada’s decision to include an additional spinner proved to be a wise move, yielding significant dividends. The spinners collectively accounted for three crucial wickets while effectively restricting the opposition’s scoring rate to a minimum.
“The wicket got a bit slow today, so it worked to our advantage. We gambled with an extra spinner and I feel both myself and Junaid bowled really well,” he said.
Looking ahead to their next match, the captain emphasizes the importance of relishing their victory and channeling that positive energy into further strengthening their performance. Canada’s next challenge will be against Pakistan, and the team is gearing up to face them in New York with renewed determination.
“One game at a time, we need to enjoy this win and come back strong against Pakistan. We are here to play positive cricket,” he commented.
The captain expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic support received from the crowds in New York and expressed hopes that their performances in the tournament would serve as inspiration for younger generations, promoting the sport further.
He concluded, “It is very important, cricket is growing in our country and hopefully, performances like this can inspire the younger generation to take up the sport”.
