The new-look Pakistan cricket team will look forward to turning the table when they take on Bangladesh in the second of the three-match one-day international series after going down to the hosts in the opening game. Bangladesh eventually broke the losing streak of 16 years by humbling Pakistan by 79 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.The defeat gave the tourists, apparently going through a transition under new skipper Azhar Ali, tasted a harsh reality as they were undefeated in 40 matches across all formats against Bangladesh since their loss in the World Cup in 1999.
The newly appointed skipper who himself returned to ODI cricket after a break of two years seemed most eager to improve the performance that was clearly inferior in all departments comparing to the hosts, who stand below to them in the rankings.
‘We will definitely try and fix it up in the next game,’ Azhar told reporters at the post match press conference.
‘I think they will come back strong because I know my team as a bowling unit, they will bounce back,’ said Azhar.
‘We will sit and discuss as to how we can come back and bounce back in the series. You will see a much more improved performance in the next game,’ said the Pakistan captain.
Azhar blamed the bowlers for their failure while also raised his fingers to the fielding unit that he believes was the reason behind their downfall.
Pakistani bowlers were taken for a ride by Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, both notching up a century and that could have been prevented if the fielders could hold their respective chances.
‘I think especially when in the field we dropped few catches in the wrong stage, some of the bowling wasn’t up to the mark up to our standards, the way we bowled in the death overs and power play we weren’t up to it,’ said Azhar.
‘Bangladesh has been playing with the same unit for the last four or five years. That is a big advantage for them. In the past, we had the experience to go through difficult periods. But now we have some new guys who are trying to make inroads. As a result, we are lacking a bit of experience in the team,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Azhar laid his confidence in off-spinner Saeed Azmal, who could not make an impact in his return to international cricket after remodeling his action.
‘Saeed bhai is coming back after a long time, he did well in most of the overs, but in the last few overs he couldn’t.
‘The batsmen were set, so it was a bit difficult for him but I think he will comeback well, inshallah in the upcoming matches,’ he said.
-With New Age input
