New Delhi: As a defeat to Namibia would mean end of their T20 World Cup campaign, Pakistan are determined to put up a show worthy of a do-or-die contest, Usman Tariq said.
Pakistan are third in the group standings behind USA on net run rate and need a win on Wednesday to keep hopes of advancing to the super eight stage intact.
They capitulated to a big defeat to arch-rivals India after beginning the campaign with two successive victories, leading to intense criticism.
“Lifting the team is only difficult when you don’t work on your mistakes committed in the last game,” Tariq said in a pre-match chat.
“We have worked on our mistakes so I think it will not be a tough task. We have a resolve not to commit the same mistakes again.”
The off-spinner was one of the better bowlers in the bruising defeat, claiming 1/24 when his team-mates were taken apart by Indian batters.
He has been under the lens for his start-stop bowling action and has been cleared twice after being reported for chucking.
Tariq said his return to cricket was as a result of former India skipper MS Dhoni’s biopic
“I came back to cricket after watching MS Dhoni. His story felt similar to mine because I was also working a job, and he was too. He created history, and I felt that if he could do it, maybe I could as well,” he said.
“But for that, I would have to work very hard. That’s what inspired me to return to cricket.”
Pakistan are expected to make changes after their debacle and the axe could fall on former captains Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
“There’s no doubt that Shaheen and Babar have won many matches for Pakistan. One game doesn’t define their capability or calibre. If something like this happens, they know how to recover because they are the senior players,” Tariq said.
“There’s nothing like they are shattered or under extra pressure. It’s part of the game. Some days you do well, some days you don’t. The main thing is how you come back and perform again.”