Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese backs Pakistani cricket team after final loss

Staff Writer

Islamabad: Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese this week backed Pakistani cricket team after they lost in the T20 cricket world cup final.

Speaking to Covert, the envoy said the Pakistani cricket team played well and the final match was a close encounter.

“Reaching the final is in itself an achievement. Pakistan team played well. Winning and losing is part of the game,” he added.

Earlier, England lifted its second men’s T20 World Cup title, recovering from an almighty scare at the MCG to prevail over Pakistan by five wickets.

Despite gloomy Melbourne forecasts that suggested the need for a reserve day, the rain held off at the MCG, where Pakistan was asked to bat first and posted 8-137.

The low total suddenly looked much bigger as Pakistan quicks Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets inside the powerplay, and kept the pressure on England’s batters in the middle overs.

The victory added to the 50-over title England won in 2019, building on the legacy of former captain Eoin Morgan, who retired this year after transforming the team into a white-ball juggernaut.

It was England’s second T20 crown after tasting success in 2010, joining the West Indies as the only two-time winners since the tournament’s inception in 2007.

The game was billed as a showdown between Pakistan’s attack and England’s top order, and Shaheen Afridi bowled danger man Alex Hales in the first over of the run chase.