ICC World Cup 2019 News
World Cup 2019: Sarfaraz laments failure to execute plans with ball in India defeat
Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was disappointed with the bowling display in his team's 89-run (DLS) loss to India in Manchester on Sunday.
17 June, 2019 00:46 IST
Sarfaraz gestures during Pakistan's match against India. - REUTERS
India openers Rohit Sharma (140) and K.L. Rahul (57) piled on the runs after India lost the toss and was being asked to bat by Sarfaraz.
"We won a good toss but we didn't bowl in good areas. Credit to Rohit (Sharma), he played very well. We had a plan to bowl in right areas, to pitch the ball up to Rohit but we didn't execute it well. It was a good toss to win but we didn't capitalise on it," he said.
Pakistan brought in spinners Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan for the game but the duo went wicketless while conceding 110 runs in 19 combined overs.
Speaking on the team selection, he said, "We picked two spinners because of the moisture on the pitch. They bowled really well. But credit to the Indian batsmen, especially in the middle part of the innings."
Sarfaraz hailed the 104-run second wicket partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam but felt the team lost too many wickets in the middle overs. "That's (partnership) what we needed after Imam-ul-Haq) got out. They were playing well but unfortunately we lost too many wickets."
Pakistan currently stands seventh on the points table with just three points. Asked if his side can qualify for the semifinals, he said, "It is tough but we have to back ourselves with four matches left to bounce back."
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