Malik plays down early batting blues
Pak skipper has set his sights for the big match against India.
Karachi: Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik is not worried over how his side was pushed to corner early in the Asia Cup match against minnows Hong Kong and instead has set his sights for the big match against India.
Pakistan beat Hong hong by huge 155-run margin but while batting they were reduced to 161 for seven at one stage, before Sohail Tanvir and Fawad Alam rescued the team with superb half-centuries.
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“We were struggling at the start but this happens in cricket. Every day is a new day in cricket. Yes, we did make mistakes but we have learnt from them. Tanvir and Fawad batted well. There will be less margin against India and I am looking forward to that match," Malik said after the match.
Malik said his side is keen carry on the good work after winning the tri-series in Bangladesh, where they defeated India in the final.
“I do not want to lose even one match. I want to win every game in Asia Cup," he said.
Rival skipper Tabarak Dar admitted they allowed Pakistan to make a comeback and blamed lack of fitness for the poor show.
“I think the bowlers were tired. We could have broken that partnership (Tanvir/Alam). They put up the partnership to take the total close to 300. We won a few sessions but could not finish it off. We lacked fitness," Dar lamented.
Man-of-the-match Tanvir could not hide his happiness for putting up a match winning all round performance.
“I was looking for that kind of performance but was not getting the chance. I have been bowling well in international cricket since I started playing but was struggling with the bat.
“It’s good for my confidence and for the team that they have got an all rounder," Tanvir said.
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