ICC World Cup 2019 | Fielding definitely needs improvement before the game against India, says Sarfaraz Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed has stated that Pakistan definitely needs to improve its fielding, referring to his side’s sloppiness on the field against Australia on Wednesday. Pakistan dropped as many as three catches against the Kangaroos, apart from the multiple misfields which cost them dearly.
Pakistan had put Australia to bat first in Wednesday’s encounter but were in for a horror due to their fielding. They missed as many as three catches but the ones which will hurt them the most are that of Aaron Finch and David Warner by Asif Ali. The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side were guilty of multiple misfields as well and the skipper called for improvement in fielding.
“We need to improve because if we want to beat bigger teams like Australia and India then all three aspects of the game are crucial. Definitely I think the fielding needs improvement – the fielding is not up to the mark. We work together again, and work hard before the India match,” he told reporters, reported AFP.
Australia were at 218 for two after the end off 33 overs but were bowled out for 307 with one over remaining. Mohammad Amir’s five-for helped them to recover from the poor start, as pointed out by Sarfaraz.
“We committed more mistakes than Australia. We won a good toss but didn’t bowl well in the first 30 overs,” he expressed.
Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman for zero in the third over while Babaz Azam was dismissed in the 11th over after providing a good start of 30 runs in 28 balls. They were still comfortably placed at 136 for two at the halfway mark while chasing. However, they lost the wickets of the set batsmen Imam-Ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez as well as Shoaib Malik within the next three overs, only to get skittled out for 266. The skipper was particularly hurt by the veteran Hafeez’s dismissal, as he handed a catch to Mitchell Starc at deep mid-wicket off a juicy full toss by Aaron Finch.
“I think losing three wickets in the space of 15 balls was the turning point. Babar was playing well and his was a soft dismissal. The ball which Mohammad Hafeez got out to was a loose one – it should have gone over the fence,” remarked the 32-year-old.
Pakistan will next face their arch-rivals India on Sunday. The skipper suggested that the side needs to overcome their mistakes when they take the field at Old Trafford.
“We have to overcome our mistakes because India are also a very strong team. We will assess our performance and then we will plan,” Sarafaraz signed off.
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