It's getting tougher and tougher, admits Sarfaraz

by IANS |

Manchester, June 17 (IANS) After facing a crushing 89-run defeat against arch-rivals India that was also their third loss in five games, Pakistan's proposition of making it to the semifinals of the ongoing World Cup has become tougher, skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed admits.

Pakistan lost to India in their crucial World Cup tie at the Old Trafford on Sunday after the DLS method came into play in the rain-marred match.

They now have just three points from five games and are languishing at the bottom of the table, just a spot above Afghanistan. 

And in order to make it to the semi-finals, the 1992 champions need to win all their remaining four fixtures and hope for favourable results in other matches as well. 

However, Sarfaraz is still hopeful that Pakistan can make a comeback and win all their remaining games against South Africa (June 23), New Zealand (June 26), Afghanistan (June 29) and Bangladesh (July 5).

"It is definitely getting tougher and tougher but we have four matches and hopefully we'll win all four of them," said Sarfaraz at the post-match presentation ceremony on Sunday here in Manchester. 

Putting India to bat, Pakistan were not able to make use of the overcast conditions and allowed the Indian openers to score freely. Their bowlers were not up to the mark, barring Mohammed Amir, and allowed India to score a mammoth 336/5 which Pakistan failed to chase down. 

Rohit Sharma was the star performer for India as he scored 140 runs of 113 balls, followed by skipper Virat Kohli (77 off 65) and K.L. Rahul (57 off 78).

"We won a good toss but unfortunately we didn't bowl in the right areas, Credit goes to Rohit, he played really well. Our plan was to pitch it up but we didn't hit the right areas. We won a good toss but we just didn't capitalize and conceded too many runs," said the Pakistan skipper. 

During their chase of 337, Pakistan lost their opener Imam-ul-Haq quickly. However, Fakhar Zaman (62) and Babar Azam (48) stitched together a 104-run partnership and kept them in the hunt. However, Kuldeep Yadav scalped both their wickets and dented Pakistan's chase. 

And then, Pakistan lost the wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik in quick succession and were down and out of the game.

"We were going really well with the bat as well, but we lost two-three quick wickets in the middle which is when we lost the match," Sarfaraz said.

Latest News
IPL 2024: 'Sai Kishore did not expect I will go after him off the first ball', says CSK's Shivam Dube Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:55 PM
Talks with Ukrainian FM focused on conflict with Russia, says EAM Jaishankar Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:49 PM
Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:42 PM
Chinese military offers help to Pakistan to curb terrorism Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:39 PM
Kangana Ranaut holds roadshow in Mandi, responds to Supriya Shrinate's 'bhao' jibe Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:36 PM
CPI tries to revive itself by launching ex-IPS officer in UP's Faizabad Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:29 PM
Mandya in Karnataka to witness mega clash between Kumaraswamy and Star Chandru Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:26 PM
I-T seizes unaccounted cash from Kolkata bizman's office Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:24 PM
Byju's EGM on rights issue ends sans objections, dissenting investors skip meet Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:12 PM
Anti-abuse provisions should not be used in receipt of capital from credible investors: Experts Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:09 PM
UP: Kamaal R Khan's brother to contest from Saharanpur on BSP ticket Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:59 PM
Pakistan: Alarm bells ring as judicial bodies gear up to protect their judges against 'targeted assault' Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:50 PM
Judicial probe ordered in Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:46 PM
Stories come knocking, characters start whispering to me: Filmmaker Rima Das Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:45 PM
Magisterial probe ordered into Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 12:52 PM