Pakistan players focused on New Zealand match after India triumph

The Men in Green want to avoid the possibility of getting caught in a net run-rate battle

PHOTO: Reuters

The Pakistan players are focused on winning their next match against New Zealand, after a convincing win over arch-rivals India in their opening match of the ongoing T20 World Cup in Dubai.

According to sources, the Men in Green squad is keen on winning the match against Kiwis, set to be played on October 26, in order to pave their path towards the knockout stage and avoid the possibility of getting caught in a net run-rate battle.

As far as the match between India and Pakistan is concerned, the much-anticipated encounter took place in a pleasant manner with players from both sides even interacting after the match.

The picture of India’s mentor and former captain MS Dhoni talking to Pakistan players, Babar Azam, Imad Wasim, Shoaib Malik and Shahnawaz Dahani, went viral on social media.

Meanwhile, India captain Virat Kohli interacting with Babar and Mohammad Rizwan after the match was also an indicator that things progressed smoothly between the two sides.

Shaheen Afridi (3-31) headlined Pakistan's disciplined bowling effort to restrict arch-rivals India to a modest 151-7 in a rematch of the inaugural 2007 final.

Babar and opening partner Mohammad Rizwan then returned to overwhelm the target with 13 balls to spare and register Pakistan's maiden win against India in a World Cup in their 13th attempt.

Babar remained not out on 68, while Rizwan made an unbeaten 79.