London: Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed lamented that their horrendous batting show against the West Indies when they were dismissed for just 105 cost Pakistan dear in the World Cup.
Pakistan exited from the showpiece Friday, despite beating Bangladesh by 94 runs, their fourth successive win. Top four teams qualified for the semifinals and Pakistan (-0.43) finished at number five with 11 points, tied with New Zealand (0.175), but were beaten on Net-Run-Rate by the Kiwis.
Their game against Sri Lanka was washed out and that also did not help their cause. They won four games in a row but still poor NRR hurt the side.
“It’s very unfortunate. We played good cricket but haven’t qualified. That one game, against West Indies, cost us the tournament. Boys responded well after the India game. Did well in all three after that — batting, bowling, fielding,” said Sarfaraz at the post match presentation ceremony.
West Indies had chased the 106-run target in just 13.4 overs, hurting Pakistan’s NRR.
Asked what’s the way forward for Pakistan, the skipper said they need to sit down and plan.
“We have two months off, and we need to do a lot of work with the team. At the moment, when team is winning everything is fine. Credit to our batsmen — Imam, Babar and Haris. And the bowlers — Amir, Shadab, Wahab, Shaheen.”
Sarfaraz also picked 19-year-old Shaheen Afridi for special praise.
“The way Shaheen is bowling, the consistency is amazing. One of the best bowling performances I’ve ever seen.”
PaK seek solutions to lift gloom
Every World Cup failure for Pakistan sparks a wave of reviews and sackings and the promise of a fresh approach — until the team wins again and all is forgotten. There have once again been calls for an overhaul of the system, changes in the team set-up and style of play, but 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram said there was no need to panic.
“Pakistan woke up late in the World Cup and when they gained momentum they won four straight games,” the former captain said.
“It is not a bad finish and I don’t think we need to panic.
“There is no quick fix and the people running cricket need time and must keep the example of how England lifted their one-day cricket. I am ready to contribute towards that.”
England’s humiliating first-round exit in 2015 sparked a radical rethink and the host nation started this World Cup as the number one side in the world.
