Waqar not worried about defeat in tour opener
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis says he is not bothered about http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s dismal performance in their opening Twenty20 tour game on the New Zealand tour.
Pakistan's campaign in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Auckland-c766 trounced the visitors by a significant margin of five wickets in the opening match of the tour at Colin Maiden Park. In the encounter, the visiting team racked up a meager total
of 91 runs in 17.4 overs.
In the process, the top order completely failed and Pakistan lost their first three wickets in the space of just seven runs. Umar Akmal was one of the few bright spots, as he mustered a resilient innings of 25-run. On the other hand, the hosts dominated
the bowling as well, achieving the 92-run target in just 13.4 overs.
Waqar said, “It wasn't the ideal start but that happens sometimes when you've just arrived in the country, and you don't really know much about the pitch conditions. I'm not really worried about it. As the tour progresses, Pakistan will get used to the conditions
and as a result, they will definitely put up a better show."
The former pacer added, "We have done badly today, and we have spoken about it. We have to work hard over the next couple of days so we don't repeat this type of performance."
Pakistan’s next match is going to be a Twenty20 International match against New Zealand. The tourists have to pull up their socks as they take on the Kiwis, because a dismal performance on Boxing Day will not please the fans back home.
On the contrary, there is a good sign for Pakistan as there bowling was fine in the tour opener. Shoaib Akhtar bowled with a lot of fire and picked up two wickets. Saeed Ajmal also troubled the hosts with his mean off-spin bowling, registering two wickets
in an incisive spell of off-spin bowling. The left-arm quick bowler Wahab Riaz caused some problems too.
Waqar was amazed by the bowling performance, and mentioned that bowlers did a fine job, taking five wickets and making the opposition players to work hard for their runs. If Pakistan had enough runs on the board, they could have restricted the hosts.
The first match of the Twenty20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played on 26 December.
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