We need to learn how to bat while chasing- Pakistan captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 on loss against New Zealand
Flamboyant Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has urged his team to learn how to bat while chasing, after the struggling Pakistan line-up was exposed against New Zealand while chasing an intimidating target of 303 runs to win.
“Our top order did not work well although we have given them the time to settle down and this was the first time we were chasing. We need to learn how to bat while chasing,” said Afridi while talking to the media.
The Kiwis rode on Ross Taylor’s whirlwind unbeaten knock of 131 to post an intimidating 50-overs total of 302 for 7, before the spearhead pacer Tim Southee scythed through Pakistan’s top order picking up three early wickets. Pakistan were bundled out for only 192 runs on the board.
Afridi insisted his side needs to learn lessons from their 110-run crushing defeat at the hands of the Black Caps, whom they defeated in a five-match One Day International series shortly before the start of the ICC World Cup.
“There were quite a few lessons to be learned from the defeat, especially those chances we gave to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 and when you give such chances to a player like him he makes you pay,” said Afridi.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 vice-captain Ross Taylor was dropped twice by Pakistan wicketkeeper, Kamran Akmal in Shoaib Aktar’s same over – once at zero and then at 8. The batsman ably capitaliSed on the chances provided to him notching brilliant 131 not out, laced with seven lofty sixes and eight boundaries.
Bowling has been Pakistan’s strongest point in their past three victories but it appeared to be totally out of flair in the match against New Zealand; 139 runs were conceived in the last 10 overs. Afridi admitted that the bowlers were poor in the depth overs, however he reckons the poor fielding did not help their cause.
“I think the way we started with the ball was good, but then the missed chances maybe demoralised the bowlers and they were very poor in the end,” said Afridi.
The 31-year-old all-rounder hoped the top order of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 on Monday.
Pakistan have six points and have slipped to number 2 place on Group A’s points table just behind New Zealand who also have six points in their account; but the better net run-rate gave them an edge over Pakistan.
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