\u201cIt\u2019s critical situation as reaching semi-final is not in our control,\u201d says pacer Salman Mirza<\/p>\n
Fast bowler Salman Mirza vowed on Friday that Pakistan will finish the Super Eights with a flourish against already-eliminated Sri Lanka, whether or not they still have hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
\nPakistan need England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo on Friday and then post a big victory of their own against Sri Lanka on Saturday to sneak into the final four on net run rate.
\nA New Zealand win will end Pakistan\u2019s hopes, rendering the Sri Lanka clash in Kandy meaningless in terms of the tournament.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a critical situation as reaching the semi-final is not in our control,\u201d Mirza told reporters
\n\u201cBut if we reach the semi-final we have the capability to do better,\u201d Mirza said.
\nPakistan\u2019s campaign started on a nervy note with a three-wicket win in a thrilling last-over finish against the Netherlands before overcoming the United States and Namibia.
\nIn between, they lost heavily to India in a highly anticipated clash in Colombo.
\nPakistan\u2019s first Super Eight match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo before they lost to England and Harry Brook\u2019s sparkling century in Kandy on Tuesday.
\n\u201cWe needed to win the match against England and that defeat has given us this position,\u201d said Mirza.
\nAfter Brook was dismissed near the end of England\u2019s run chase, Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the penultimate over.
\nMirza bowled the final over with three runs to defend and two wickets to take for victory but Jofra Archer hit the first ball for four.
\n\u201cI had the opportunity to become a hero in the final over, but I couldn\u2019t grab that one,\u201d said Mirza.
\n\u201cSuch opportunities do not come your way every day. Had I taken two wickets we would have won that match, but it was not to be.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cIt\u2019s critical situation as reaching semi-final is not in our control,\u201d says pacer Salman Mirza Fast bowler Salman Mirza vowed on Friday that Pakistan will finish the Super Eights with a flourish against already-eliminated Sri Lanka, whether or not they still have hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Pakistan need England to beat New Zealand handsomely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":533920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-533917","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n