Overview

• After a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, Hussain Talat said T20’s middle order is the hardest place to bat and that Pakistan has perhaps four or five players suited to it.
• Talat delivered 2 for 18 and an unbeaten 32 to steer a chase that had slipped to 80 for 5 before Mohammad Nawaz’s late hitting sealed victory in the 18th over.
• He said failure rates are high for middle-order roles and frequent public criticism can lead to quick omissions, so specialists should be given more opportunities.
• Acknowledging his sluggish 10 off 11 against India, Talat said the team shut out criticism and entered the Sri Lanka match without a sense of disappointment.
• Pakistan remain in contention for the final and must beat Bangladesh on Thursday to progress, with team management signaling continued backing for pressured roles.