Cricket is a game that unites fans across borders, and when two teams like Canada National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard face off, the excitement is palpable. On June 11, 2024, the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York witnessed a gripping Group A match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This article dives into the details of the Canada vs Pakistan match, complete with a comprehensive scorecard, key moments, and insights into what made this game a memorable chapter in cricket history. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or someone new to the sport, this breakdown will make the match easy to understand and appreciate.

The Build-Up to the Match

The 2024 T20 World Cup was a landmark event, co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States, marking the first time ICC World Cup matches were played in the Americas outside the Caribbean. Canada, making their debut in the T20 World Cup, were riding high after a surprising 12-run victory over Ireland. Meanwhile, Pakistan, ranked sixth globally, were under pressure after back-to-back losses to the USA and India. This match was a must-win for Pakistan to keep their hopes alive for the Super Eights, while Canada aimed to prove they could compete with cricket’s heavyweights.

The Nassau County pitch had already gained a reputation for favoring bowlers, often producing low-scoring thrillers. With cloudy conditions and a tricky surface, both teams knew early wickets and disciplined batting would be key. Pakistan’s potent pace attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Amir, was expected to challenge Canada’s relatively inexperienced batting lineup. On the other hand, Canada’s Aaron Johnson and captain Saad Bin Zafar were eager to make a mark against a formidable opponent.

The Toss and Team Lineups

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field, a decision influenced by the early morning conditions and the pitch’s tendency to assist bowlers in the first six overs. Canada, led by Saad Bin Zafar, would have preferred to bowl first as well but were ready to set a competitive total.

Canada Playing XI:

• Aaron Johnson
• Navneet Dhaliwal
• Pargat Singh
• Nicholas Kirton
• Shreyas Movva (wicketkeeper)
• Ravinderpal Singh
• Saad Bin Zafar (captain)
• Dillon Heyliger
• Kaleem Sana
• Junaid Siddiqui
• Jeremy Gordon

Pakistan Playing XI:

• Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
• Saim Ayub
• Babar Azam (captain)
• Fakhar Zaman
• Usman Khan
• Shadab Khan
• Imad Wasim
• Shaheen Afridi
• Naseem Shah
• Haris Rauf
• Mohammad Amir

Pakistan made one change, bringing in Saim Ayub for Iftikhar Ahmed, while Canada replaced Dilpreet Bajwa with Pargat Singh. The stage was set for a clash of contrasting styles—Pakistan’s experienced bowling attack against Canada’s spirited batting unit.Canada’s Innings: A Fight Against Pakistan’s Pace

Canada’s innings began with Aaron Johnson and Navneet Dhaliwal at the crease. Shaheen Afridi opened the bowling for Pakistan, and Johnson wasted no time, capitalizing on a full toss to smash a boundary through midwicket. He followed it up with another four down the ground, giving Canada a confident start with 11 runs off the first over. However, Pakistan’s bowlers quickly found their rhythm, exploiting the double-paced pitch to keep the scoring in check.

Key Moments in Canada’s Innings

• Early Promise: Aaron Johnson’s aggressive start put Pakistan on the back foot, but Shaheen Afridi struck in the third over, dismissing Pargat Singh for just 2 runs, caught by Fakhar Zaman. Canada were 16/1.
• Navneet Dhaliwal’s Departure: Mohammad Amir, named Player of the Match later, bowled a tight line and dismissed Dhaliwal for 4 runs, leaving Canada at 30/2 after the powerplay.
• Aaron Johnson’s Fighting Fifty: Johnson anchored the innings with a gritty 52 off 44 balls, including four boundaries. His knock was a highlight, showing Canada’s intent to compete against a top-tier side.
• Nicholas Kirton’s Run-Out: A mix-up led to Kirton’s run-out for just 1 run, a crucial blow that disrupted Canada’s momentum. The score read 55/3 in the 11th over.
• Middle-Order Collapse: Haris Rauf, who became the third-fastest to 100 T20I wickets in this match, removed Shreyas Movva (2) and Ravinderpal Singh (0) in quick succession, reducing Canada to 73/5.
• Late Resistance: Captain Saad Bin Zafar (10 off 21) and Kaleem Sana (13 not out) added some stability, but Pakistan’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Dillon Heyliger’s 9 not out helped Canada limp to 106/7 in their 20 overs.

Pakistan’s bowling was disciplined, with Mohammad Amir (2/13) and Haris Rauf (2/26) leading the charge. Shaheen Afridi (1/21) and Naseem Shah (0/24) were economical, ensuring Canada couldn’t build significant partnerships. Canada’s total of 106 was respectable on a tough pitch but felt 20-25 runs short, as admitted by captain Saad Bin Zafar post-match.

Pakistan’s Chase: Steady but Cautious

Chasing 107, Pakistan needed a win to boost their net run rate and keep their tournament hopes alive. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam opened the batting, with Saim Ayub slotted at number two. Canada’s bowlers, led by Jeremy Gordon and Dillon Heyliger, aimed to exploit the early conditions, but Pakistan’s experienced batsmen played with caution.

Key Moments in Pakistan’s Innings

• Early Wicket: Saim Ayub fell early for 6 runs, caught by Shreyas Movva off Dillon Heyliger’s bowling. Pakistan were 28/1 at the end of the powerplay.
• Rizwan and Babar’s Partnership: Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam steadied the ship with a 63-run partnership. Rizwan played a patient knock, while Babar contributed 33 off 33 balls before being caught off Heyliger in the 15th over.
• Rizwan’s Slow Fifty: Rizwan reached his fifty in 52 balls, the slowest in T20 World Cup history, reflecting the challenging conditions. His unbeaten 53 (2 fours, 1 six) anchored the chase.
• Late Drama: Fakhar Zaman’s brief 4-run cameo ended with a catch by substitute Dilpreet Bajwa off Jeremy Gordon. With just a few runs needed, Usman Khan (2 not out) sealed the victory with a two through mid-wicket, finishing the chase with 15 balls to spare.

Pakistan reached 107/3 in 17.3 overs, securing a 7-wicket victory. Dillon Heyliger was Canada’s standout bowler with 2/18, while Jeremy Gordon (1/17) kept things tight. Despite the loss, Canada showed fight, with Aaron Johnson’s batting and Heyliger’s bowling earning praise.

Full Canada National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard

Here’s the detailed Canada National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard at the 2024 T20 World Cup:

Canada National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Match Details

• Date: June 11, 2024

• Venue: Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

• Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field

• Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets

• Player of the Match: Mohammad Amir (Pakistan) – 2 wickets for 13 runs

Canada Innings: 106/7 (20 overs)

Batsman	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Aaron Johnson	c Mohammad Rizwan b Naseem Shah	52	44	4	0	118.18
Navneet Dhaliwal	c Mohammad Rizwan b Mohammad Amir	4	7	1	0	57.14
Pargat Singh	c Fakhar Zaman b Shaheen Afridi	2	6	0	0	33.33
Nicholas Kirton	run out	1	6	0	0	16.67
Shreyas Movva (wk)	c Mohammad Rizwan b Haris Rauf	2	9	0	0	22.22
Ravinderpal Singh	c Fakhar Zaman b Haris Rauf	0	2	0	0	0.00
Saad Bin Zafar (c)	c Mohammad Rizwan b Mohammad Amir	10	21	1	0	47.62
Kaleem Sana	not out	13	14	0	1	92.86
Dillon Heyliger	not out	9	11	1	0	81.82
Extras	(lb 4, w 9)	13
Total	(7 wickets, 20 overs)	106

Did Not Bat: Junaid Siddiqui, Jeremy Gordon

Fall of Wickets:

• 16/1 (Pargat Singh, 2.5 ov)

• 30/2 (Navneet Dhaliwal, 5.4 ov)

• 55/3 (Nicholas Kirton, 10.1 ov)

• 68/4 (Shreyas Movva, 12.3 ov)

• 73/5 (Ravinderpal Singh, 12.5 ov)

• 83/6 (Aaron Johnson, 15.3 ov)

• 96/7 (Saad Bin Zafar, 18.2 ov)

Pakistan Bowling:

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Shaheen Afridi	4	0	21	1	5.25
Naseem Shah	4	0	24	1	6.00
Mohammad Amir	4	0	13	2	3.25
Haris Rauf	4	0	26	2	6.50
Imad Wasim	4	0	18	0	4.50

Pakistan Innings: 107/3 (17.3 overs)

Batsman	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)	not out	53	53	2	1	100.00
Saim Ayub	c Shreyas Movva b Dillon Heyliger	6	12	0	0	50.00
Babar Azam (c)	c Shreyas Movva b Dillon Heyliger	33	33	1	1	100.00
Fakhar Zaman	c sub (Dilpreet Bajwa) b Jeremy Gordon	4	6	0	0	66.67
Usman Khan	not out	2	1	0	0	200.00
Extras	(lb 1, w 8)	9
Total	(3 wickets, 17.3 overs)	107

Did Not Bat: Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir

Fall of Wickets:

• 21/1 (Saim Ayub, 4.2 ov)

• 83/2 (Babar Azam, 14.4 ov)

• 104/3 (Fakhar Zaman, 17.1 ov)

Canada Bowling:

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Kaleem Sana	3	0	19	0	6.33
Jeremy Gordon	3.3	0	17	1	4.85
Dillon Heyliger	4	0	18	2	4.50
Saad Bin Zafar	4	0	23	0	5.75
Junaid Siddiqui	3	0	29	0	9.66

Post-Match Analysis

Pakistan’s Perspective

Pakistan’s victory was a much-needed boost after their earlier setbacks. Babar Azam emphasized the importance of early wickets, noting that the first six overs were crucial on the Nassau County pitch. Mohammad Amir’s disciplined bowling earned him the Player of the Match award, with his ability to hit the right areas proving decisive. Rizwan’s cautious fifty, though slow, ensured Pakistan avoided any collapse, while Babar’s 33 provided stability. However, their net run rate remained a concern, and they needed a win against Ireland and favorable results elsewhere to advance.

Canada’s Perspective

Canada’s captain Saad Bin Zafar admitted they were 25-30 runs short, citing the difficulty of batting on the challenging pitch. Aaron Johnson’s 52 was a standout performance, showcasing Canada’s potential to compete at this level. Dillon Heyliger’s bowling was another positive, but the run-out of Nicholas Kirton and the middle-order collapse proved costly. Despite the loss, Canada’s spirited performance against a cricketing powerhouse was a testament to their growing presence in international cricket.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan’s Bowling Dominance: The pace quartet of Amir, Rauf, Afridi, and Shah was too much for Canada’s batsmen, restricting them to a below-par total.
• Aaron Johnson’s Heroics: His 52 was a beacon of hope for Canada, proving they have players capable of shining on the big stage.
• Rizwan’s Anchor Role: Mohammad Rizwan’s steady knock ensured Pakistan chased the target without major hiccups, though their slow approach raised questions about their aggression.
• Pitch Conditions: The Nassau County pitch favored bowlers, making every run hard-earned and highlighting the importance of disciplined cricket.

The Bigger Picture

This match was more than just a game; it was a clash of cricketing cultures. Pakistan, with their rich history and passionate fanbase, carried the weight of expectations. Canada, a rising associate nation, represented the growth of cricket in non-traditional markets. The 16,328 fans in attendance witnessed a contest that, while one-sided on paper, showcased Canada’s potential and Pakistan’s resilience.

For Canada, the 2024 T20 World Cup was a historic milestone, and their performance against Pakistan showed they could challenge top teams. For Pakistan, the win kept their campaign alive, but their inconsistent batting remained a concern. As both teams moved to Florida for their final group matches—Canada against India and Pakistan against Ireland—the lessons from this game would shape their approach.

Conclusion

The Canada National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard at the 2024 T20 World Cup was a tale of grit, strategy, and moments of brilliance. Pakistan’s victory was clinical, driven by their bowlers and Rizwan’s steady hand, but Canada’s fight, led by Aaron Johnson, earned them respect. The scorecard tells the story of a low-scoring thriller, but the real narrative lies in the passion and potential displayed by both teams. Whether you’re a seasoned cricket fan or new to the game, this match was a reminder of why cricket continues to captivate audiences worldwide.