Published: Mar 20, 2016, 06:18 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 20, 2016, 06:18 PM (IST)
Kolkata: After slumping to a six wicket defeat against India in the World Twenty 20, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi lavished praise on the hosts, saying one could learn from them how to handle pressure. “These guys are doing very well. They are playing very well under pressure and Indian batsmen are mature. One has to learn from them how to handle the pressure,” Afridi said. He lauded Man of the Match Virat Kohli for “playing an awesome innings”. Afridi conceded that his team did not opt for a second spinner as he did not expect the pitch to turn so much. He also said his team scored 30-35 runs less and the bowlers failed to bowl in the right areas. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Pakistan, Group B Match 19 of ICC T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens
“I did not expect the pitch to turn so much, but no excuse. I think we did not score enough runs. We were short by 30-35 runs. Their spinners bowled well. I think we did not bowl in the right areas and I did not bowl well,” he added. Afridi said had he read the pitch properly, he would have opted for a second spinner. The Pakistan skipper said his team now needed to concentrate on the coming two group games. “We are playing Australia and New Zealand next, so we have got to play harder. This game is done, we need to quickly focus on the next game,” Afridi said. India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2016: Pakistan media critcise Shahid Afridi for tactical errors
Meanwhile, Expressing surprise over the Eden Garden pitch, Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik has blamed the batsmen for his side’s loss to arch-rivals India in the World Twenty2o group encounter here on Saturday. “Losing and winning are part of the game but the fact remains we need to improve in a few areas, especially our batting. Even though the pitch was tough to bat on, I feel we could have set a better target.”
