Sarfaraz blames another batting collapse for loss

Pakistan lost by 89-runs against India at Old Trafford in the ICC World Cup 2019 on Sunday, Sarfaraz Ahmed believes his side gave up all hopes of a win when they lost four wickets in three overs.

Pakistan, who at one point were in the chase at 117/1, lost Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik for 12 runs within three overs as Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya caused havoc.

“The credit goes to India’s batsmen and also their bowlers for performing so well. We also lost the match in those three overs where we lost four wickets. Fakhar and Imam were going really well, but we collapsed after that,” Sarfaraz said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Pakistan, like against Australia, were bowling first in conditions that promised help for the bowlers but no one other than Mohammad Amir really troubled the batsmen early on.

Even Pakistan’s Prime Minister and World Cup winning Captain in 1992, Imran Khan tweeted about the necessity to bat first if they won the toss. But Sarfaraz explained that with the consistent rain on Saturday and overcast conditions on Sunday, the fast bowlers were “raring to go and bowl out there”.  

“We won a good toss but didn't bowl in the right areas and Rohit (Sharma) played very well. Our plan was 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,” the wicket-keeper batsman added.

For Pakistan, the road to the semis of the 2019 ICC World Cup now gets tougher as they have slipped to ninth on the table with three defeats to their name. Their next game will be against another struggling side in South Africa and the loser of that match will be eliminated.

"It's getting tougher and now we have to win all remaining games," a dejected Sarfaraz signed off.