Pakistan was on the verge of being eliminated a week ago when they went down 43 for four in a must-win game against South Africa. They recovered in that match, winning two in a row with the help of the Netherlands, who stunned the Proteas to advance to the semi-finals. Pakistan then defeated New Zealand to reach the final of the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2009.
India finished first in the points table after winning four of their five group games. However, a ferocious attack from England openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler ended India’s run in Adelaide, as they were defeated by 10 wickets.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Pakistan-England final, Ramiz said that people had doubted the team, but this World Cup proved why they shouldn’t, before taking a swipe at Team India with his ‘billion-dollar industry’ remark, which he had previously made before the World Cup opener at the MCG.
Hum aap ko doubt karte rehte hai. World cricket kitne peche reh gayi hai, and Pakistan kitna aage nikla hai. Iss World Cup me nazar aagaya, aap dekhe. Teams in the billion-dollar industry peeche reh gayi hai, and hum jo hai woh upar nikal gayi hai. Toh kahi cheez na hum theek kar rahe hai. So, uska aap, enjoy and respect bhi kare. Issi team ke main hi teen players ICC ke best players declare huyi hai. Toh kahi cheez toh theek kar rahe hai na (We were doubtful. We’ve all seen how far ahead Pakistan is of other billion-dollar teams in this World Cup. So we’re doing some things correctly. As in previous months, three cricketers were named ICC Player of the Month), he explained.
On Sunday, Pakistan will face England at the MCG.
