Captain Inzamam admits team under pressure
PAKISTAN looked a team million miles away from one tipped to take the World Cup crown after they were comprehensively beaten by hosts West Indies on the opening day of the cricketing showpiece.
On current form Pakistan looked odds on certain to record their first win of the tournament but lackluster batting from the top order coupled with precise and at times breathtaking bowling from the West Indies attack meant the hosts walked away with the honours with a 54-run victory.
Winning the toss, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq put the West Indies in to bat who set their opponents a target of 242.
But an opening collapse left Pakistan on 39-3 and they never fully recovered and they were all out for 187.
Inzamam, who made just 36 from 65 balls, admitted his team needed to work a lot harder if they are to progress to the Super 8 phase.
“It’s a matter of concern,” said Inzamam, when asked about the batting. “We have the experience in the middle order and the batsmen have to take responsibility.”
“We should have got those runs,” he added. “I think 242 was a gettable score.
“We thought we could have chased those runs and we should have chased those runs.
“Yousuf’s wicket was crucial but we lost three quick wickets at the start and we could have done well if we had more wickets left at the end.”
He praised his bowlers for restricting the West Indies to a manageable target but admitted on the day the West Indies were the better side.
“There was some help for the seamers, but I have to give their bowlers credit. They bowled a great line, and didn’t even need to use the spinners.”
Pakistan face Ireland on Saturday and Zimbabwe next Wednesday knowing they need to win both to stand a good chance of going through to the next phase.
