Why Pakistan lost to India in ICC Champions Trophy: PAK captain tells all

New Delhi | ByHT Correspondent

Jun 07, 2017 11:44 AM IST

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Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of India in their ICC Champions Trophy Group B opener at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday. Pakistan next take on South Africa on Wednesday.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed attributed the loss to India to jangling nerves saying that most of the young players were playing India for the first time and got overwhelmed by the situation. (WIN OR BUST FOR PAKISTAN)

Pakistan’s Mohammed Amir failed to make an impact against India at Birmingham on Sunday. Pakistan face South Africa in an ICC Champions Trophy match on Wednesday. A defeat will knock them out of the tournament.(REUTERS)

“India-Pakistan was a big match. Since quite a few youngsters were playing, they may be felt pressure which led to missed chances. The drop catches cost us. If we had taken those chances, then definitely things would have been different,” he said.

READ | ICC Champions Trophy: After ‘Surrender’ To India, Pakistan Must Bring Out Best Vs South Africa

Sarfraz admitted that the players were in a state of shock while playing India. “We have tried to bring them out of that shock and the camp is feeling good following a team meeting in the morning. We told them that the next two games are important and they should focus on that. We are totally focused on that game. The boys were a bit disappointed after the match but now it is ok.”

Admitting that he made mistakes, especially in opening the bowling with spinner Imad Wasim, Sarfraz said that if a chance presented again, he would open the bowling with a pacer in these conditions.

Pakistan play South Africa in a day-night game at The Oval on Wednesday and need to win it to stay in contention. They last played South Africa in the 2015 World Cup. The situation then was quite similar to what it is now as Pakistan needed to beat them to stay in the World Cup. They eventually prevailed.

READ | My opinion on India vs Pakistan cricket series does not matter: Virat Kohli

This South Africa side, however, has Kagiso Rabada, the top-ranked ODI bowler in the world. He could test the struggling Pakistani batsmen.

“We haven’t played against them for a while. Kagiso Rabada is a No. 1 bowler and we have not played against him, but have seen his videos.”

The Pakistan skipper confirmed that there will be two changes in the squad. Wahab Riaz is returning to Pakistan following injury and Rumman Raees has been included in his place.

READ | ICC Champions Trophy: Underdogs Pakistan in must-win clash vs South Africa

However, Pakistan will go in with Junaid Khan as Wahab’s replacement. They will also leave out Ahmad Shahzad and include Fakhar Zaman as the opener.

Paceman Mohammed Amir survived a scare after he hurt his shoulder. However, the captain confirmed that he is fine and will play in Wednesday’s match.

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