A small award ceremony took place in the dressing room after Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 81 runs on Friday in their opening game of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India.
Team director Mickey Arthur handed awards to the players. Skipper Babar Azam was awarded "Player of the Week" while middle-order batter Saud Shakeel was named "Impact Player of the Match" for his 68-run knock against the Dutch in Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, Babar had two great batting performances in World Cup warm-up games as he scored 80 and 90 (Retired) against New Zealand and Australia respectively.
Mickey Arthur praised the performances of notable performers in his speech. He appreciated Mohammad Rizwan's knock of 68 which led Pakistan to a competitive total.
He also hailed the batting partnership of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz while acknowledging Haris Rauf for his bowling performance of 3/43.
But, the ultimate praise was for Saud Shakeel who dominated the Netherlands after Pakistan were 3/38. He came and played attacking shots, putting the opposition on the back foot.
In his 52-ball 68, the 28-year-old hit nine fours and a six. "Saud Shakeel played a good innings as he came under pressure. He played good shots and showed positive intent, Arthur said.
"That's the kind of cricket we have to play, that's our 'The Pakistan Way'," Mickey Arthur emphasised.
It must be noted Babar Azam and Co. has created history as they became the first Pakistan side to register a win in the World Cup on Indian soil. In the previous three World Cups in India (1987, 1996 and 2011), Pakistan never won a match.
The Men in Green will now play Sri Lanka on October 10 at the same venue.
Pakistan will then face India on October 14 in Ahmedabad. Both teams will be playing each other after appearing twice in the tournament.
India won the clash between the two sides in the 2019 World Cup by 18 runs. The first match between the two sides in the recent Asia Cup was a washout but India would emerge victorious in the Super 4 stage match by a big margin.
