"You can't win matches with only one bowler"

Published March 9, 2014
Umar Gul was unable to find his rhythm throughout the tournament. -Photo by AFP
Umar Gul was unable to find his rhythm throughout the tournament. -Photo by AFP

Leading up to to the Asia Cup, there was much debate over Pakistan's fragile batting line and whether it would hold up for the continent's premier event. But as the dust settled in Dhaka, it was the bowling attack that had left the team management much to ponder as Pakistan now shifts its focus to the upcoming World Twenty20.

Apart from Saeed Ajmal, who returned figures of 10-26-3, the rest of Pakistan's bowling stocks appeared helpless as Sri Lanka comfortably chased down 261 for victory in the final of the Asia Cup.

"We need early wickets in such matches but we could not get them. Saeed (Ajmal) gave us good breakthroughs. In bowling also you need partnerships, but at the other end he did not get the support. No bowler could create any pressure and it became easy for Sri Lanka to chase down the target," Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said after the game.

Misbah was also of the opinion that the bowling unit was relying too much on Ajmal. The fast bowlers, who picked up a combined tally of only nine wickets in the Asia Cup, appeared particularly harmless.

"Nobody could put pressure, you can't win matches with only one bowler. You need to bowl really well as a unit. No bowler could exert pressure except Ajmal."

The Pakistan captain, who was among the runs himself at the Asia Cup, offered praise to the rare consistency of the batsmen.

"A lot of positive us especially in batting. Ahmed Shehzad, Fawad Alam played good innings. (Shahid) Afridi played two excellent innings to finish the games. (Mohammed) Hafeez and (Umar) Akmal also played some fantastic knocks. We chased well in two games."

Misbah, who will be watching the World T20 from the sidelines as Mohammad Hafeez takes charge, though, sounded confident about Pakistan's chances at the event despite its struggling bowling line which conceded 1303 runs in five matches at the Asia Cup.

The World T20, which runs from March 16-April 6, will also be played in Bangladesh.

"You can't say anything in T20. Last time also, the Asian teams were favourites. It depends who plays well on a given day. But obviously Asian teams will have an advantage. Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India on these conditions are tough opponents."

Pakistan will play India in their opening match on March 21 of the World T20 before taking on Australia on March 23, a team from the qualifying group on the March 27 and end the group stages with a clash against defending champs West Indies on April 1.

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