Babar satisfied with Pakistan's overall performance despite semifinal exit

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said he was satisfied with his team's unity and overall performance in the T20 World Cup despite the narrow semifinal loss to Australia on Thursday. Pakistan came into the semifinal as favorites but a whirlwind knock by Matthew Wade (41 not out off 17) and Marcus Stoinis (40 not out off 31) ensured a five-wicket win for Australia.

"The way we started in the first half, we got the total we targeted. But we gave them too much of a chance at the end of the chase," Azam said in the post-match presentation. 

With 22 runs needed off the last two overs, Hasan Ali dropped Wade off the second ball of Shaheen Afridi's penultimate over. The left-hander capitalized on it as he finished off the game with three sixes in a row. Azam rued the missed catch as he felt the outcome could've been different had the catch was taken.

"If we had taken that catch, it might have made the difference. But the way we played this tournament, the way we gelled, I'm very satisfied as a captain," he said. 

The 26-year old felt that the team can take heart from the tournament and do well in the future.

"I hope we try and learn from our mistakes after this. Definitely, if we've played so well in a tournament, we'll gain confidence, and we'll continue to try and play this way. The roles we'd defined for the players, they all executed very well. The way the crowds supported us, we enjoyed it a lot as a team, as we always do, and I'm very grateful for it," he said.

Wade was delighted with the way he played against Afridi, as he revealed his conversation with Stoinis in between overs.

"Talking to Marcus Stoinis at the other end, we discussed what the bowlers were looking to do. (Shaheen Afridi) probably bowled more pace-on than I expected," Wade said.

The pair added 81 runs in 40 balls after Australia were staring at a certain defeat after being reduced to 96/5 in 12.2 overs.

"When I got out there with Marcus, he was really confident we'd get them, even though I was a little unsure. He found the boundaries early on, and I was happy to chip in at the end."

Aaron Finch hailed the duo of Stoinis and Wade, while admitting that his team made few mistakes bowling first.

"It was a great game of cricket. The way Matthew Wade held his nerve was outstanding, that partnership with Marcus Stoinis was crucial. I just got my feet in a tangle first up. It happens, in T20 cricket you get some good ones every now and then," the Australian captain said.

"I thought we were pretty sloppy today, we dropped a couple, though they were tough ones. But what we showed today was that you need all your players, everyone in your 15 to contribute," he added.

Pakistan banked on opener Mohammad Rizwan's 67 off 52 balls as they posted 176/4 in 20 overs. Finch felt that the wicket at Dubai behaved differently with no dew present, but was satisfied that they had a gettable total in their hands.

"It's really strange. There's no dew, but the lights take effect and the wicket speeds up a bit. I was hoping to lose the toss and put a total on the board and defend it, but it was good to chase that target down in the end," he said.

Australia will face neighbors New Zealand on Sunday in the summit clash.