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| March 15, 2007 | Thursday | Safar 25, 1428 |
Inzamam blames batsmen for loss
KINGSTON, March 14: Inzamam-ul-Haq blasted his batsmen for failing to complete a moderate run chase after Pakistan lost the opening match of the World Cup to hosts West Indies by 54 runs.
The skipper was not impressed with the way his side failed to chase a target of 242 in the Group D clash at Sabina Park on a pitch that he said was ‘absolutely fine’.
Pakistan started poorly when they lost their first three batsmen – Imran Nazir, Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez – with just 39 runs on the board.
When a patient but promising stand of 60 between him and Mohammad Yousuf ended, Pakistan's chances of a win evaporated.
“We should have got those runs,” Inzamam told reporters. “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.”
Inzamam rejected claims that he made the wrong decision after winning the toss and electing to bowl.
He also defended the bowlers, even though they allowed number eight batsman Dwayne Smith to score 32 from 15 balls.
Pakistan conceded more than 50 runs from their last five overs.
“The decision as far as the toss was concerned was fine and the bowlers did a good job,” Inzamam said.
“We just didn't chase properly enough and West Indies bowled a good line and length.
“Our middle order is a very experienced batting line-up and we should have taken more responsibility in the opening game of the tournament. But we will regroup and come back for the next match.”
Meanwhile, West Indies captain Brian Lara said he expected more of the same from Smith.
Smith began his international career in sparkling style with a century on his Test debut in South Africa but over the three years since he has been inconsistent.
Lara urged the 23-year-old Smith to build on his latest show of potential rather than dwell on his success.
“Dwayne played really well,” Lara said. “At one time before he went out to bat we were looking at 225, I told him that.
“For him to score in excess of 30 in 15 balls, hitting the ball out of the park and cleanly was very, very good for us.
“(Then) Coming on to bowl after Daren Powell, after we had stifled the run rate in the early overs, you expect them to pick up the run rate from there.
“But Dwayne came on and bowled well and got the wickets of Inzamam and Yousuf – their two best players.
“His performance was excellent and he knows that and from here what he wants to do is build on it, not just sit back and think I've started well and that's it.
“We've hopefully got 10 or 11 games in the tournament and he is looking for a performance like that every time.”—Reuters
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