A campaign of much promise for Scotland. ©AFP
Matthew Hayden, Pakistan's batting consultant, was sure before the start of the tournament that 150 would be a par score in Sharjah. He had stressed on the importance of not going too hard at a conventional T20 total if the conditions don't aid it. The struggle, on Sunday, of their in-form openers - Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan - was validation for Hayden's advice.
However, by the second half of the innings, Babar had settled in and had got used to the pace of the wicket. His fluent stroke-making coupled with Mohammad Hafeez's 'batting with intent', threw Scotland off their plans and lengths. In trying to find an answer to Pakistan's late onslaught, they played into their hands, especially that of Shoaib Malik - who powered away to an 18-ball fifty. Pakistan, for the second time in tournament, posted 189
In response, against the most clinical bowling attack, Scotland's batting never took off. By the time
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