CHENNAI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam rued his team’s failure to put pressure on Afghanistan with spin in Monday’s eight-wicket loss at the World Cup.
Pakistani spinners took no wickets in Chennai as their combined 21 overs conceded 6.23 runs an over. Afghanistan chased down the target of 283 with eight wickets to spare.
Spinners have taken only one wicket for Pakistan in their last three matches, all of which the 1992 champions lost as they fell to fifth place.
“In the middle overs, the spinners didn’t bowl as they should have. They didn’t put pressure on (the opponents),” a dejected Babar told reporters.
“When we came here, I saw that the margin of error is very low for bowlers. If you bowl a little bit away from the wicket, you will get hit on that ball. So, we are lacking there a little bit.”
In contrast, Afghan spinners bowled a combined 38 overs and picked up four crucial wickets at an economy rate of 4.63; one of the highest uses of spin by any team in World Cup history.
Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott said the pitch conditions favored spinners.
“I think when you’ve got the options like we do it’s foolish not to use them, certainly when looking at that pitch today,” he said.
Trott particularly praised 18-year-old Noor Ahmad who took three major wickets in his World Cup debut, giving away just 49 runs in his 10 overs.
“As soon as he got that length right, he spins the ball so much,” the coach said. “When he’s practicing, you hear that ball fizzing.”
Afghan spinners also played a key role in their shock 69-run win over defending champions England earlier in the tournament, taking eight wickets with Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan claiming three each.
The two wins helped propel the Afghans from bottom of the table to sixth place.
A turnaround was still possible for Pakistan, Babar said.
“You never know. It’s cricket. Anything can happen. We will try to play our best cricket till the end,” he added. “We will try to overcome our mistakes.”
Pakistan will stay in Chennai to face South Africa on Friday, while Afghanistan play Sri Lanka in Pune on Sunday.
Babar Azam has no positive spin on Pakistan loss to Afghans
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Babar Azam has no positive spin on Pakistan loss to Afghans
- The Pakistani skipper says the margin of error is very low for bowlers at the ICC World Cup 2023
- Azam vows to play ‘our best cricket till the end’ ahead of crucial match with South Africa on Friday
Three players set for ODI debuts as Pakistan face Bangladesh in series opener
- Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and Shamyl Hussain to make international debuts in Dhaka
- Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi says Pakistan confident despite Bangladesh’s strong home record
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will hand One Day International debuts to three top-order batsmen when they face Bangladesh in the opening match of a three-game series in Dhaka today, Wednesday, with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi expressing confidence in the newcomers ahead of the contest.
Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and Shamyl Hussain are set to earn ODI caps 255, 256 and 257 respectively, forming Pakistan’s top three in the series opener at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
“There will be three debutants for us in the first game,” Afridi told reporters ahead of the series. “Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat will open the batting, while Shamyl Hussain will bat at three.”
“I hope they will play their own game and show their skills. We are all excited to see them play for Pakistan not just for one series but future as well.”
Pakistan arrive in Bangladesh after winning their previous two ODI series at home against South Africa and Sri Lanka and held training sessions in Karachi before departing for Dhaka earlier this week.
Afridi said the team expected a competitive contest against Bangladesh, which traditionally performs strongly in home conditions.
“All the teams are very good in their home conditions and similarly Bangladesh have done well in their home ground as well,” he said. “As a team we are prepared well.”
Pakistan have historically dominated the bilateral ODI rivalry, winning 34 of the 39 matches played between the two sides, with one game ending without a result.
The three-match series marks the latest white-ball engagement between the teams after they faced each other in multiple T20I contests since May last year.
The match will begin at 1:15 p.m. Pakistan time and will be broadcast live on PTV Sports.
The two teams will play the other two ODIs on March 13 and March 15 at the same venue.
