LAHORE: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq admitted that defeat in the Asia Cup final to Sri Lanka was disappointing but he was largely satisfied with his team’s overall performance in Bangladesh.

Speaking to reporters on Monday after arriving from Dhaka where Pakistan lost the final to the Islanders on Saturday, the 39-year-old said that the team’s performance bodes well for the upcoming World Twenty20 which starts on March 16.

“The overall performance of the team at the Asia Cup was satisfactory but there’s disappointment that we couldn’t win the final,” Misbah said at the Lahore airport.

Pakistan pulled off stunning run chases against India and Bangladesh before losing the final to the Sri Lankans. And Misbah said the sensational victories during the course of the Asia Cup had raised the team’s morale.

“The way we defeated India and then clinched victory against Bangladesh was the result of great team spirit and every member of the team enjoyed it,” he said.

He dispelled the notion that Pakistan had succumbed to pressure against Sri Lanka in the final especially with PCB chairman Najam Sethi at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium to watch the final.

“There was no pressure on us as in the past, PCB chairmen have been visiting us on such occasions to raise the morale of the team,” he said.

Misbah was all praise for the batting performances by Shahid Afridi, Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal saying that it was a good omen for the Pakistan team before the start of the World T20.

Pakistan are in a challenging group for the slam-bang extravaganza with Australia, defending champions West Indies and India — who they face in the opener on March 21.

“We have a very good chance in the World T20 as the batsmen are in impressive form which will help the team,” Misbah said.

Afridi had been struggling in recent years with his batting but he hit consecutive sixes in the last over for a quick-fire 18-ball 34 which gave Pakistan a one-wicket win against India.

Against Bangladesh, he was more ruthless, hitting a 25-ball 59 with seven sixes and two boundaries, as Pakistan were able to chase their biggest ever ODI target of 327.

About his own performance with the bat, Misbah said: “I was run out twice in the tournament but in the remaining ones, I made my due contributions.”

On Saturday, Misbah (65) shared a crucial 122-run partnership with Fawad Alam as they brought some respite to Pakistan who at one stage were tottering at 18-3. A late blitz by Umar Akmal along with Fawad (114) helped Pakistan to a respectable 260.

However, the bowlers let Pakistan down and Misbah came to the defence of paceman Umar Gul who was plundered for runs by the Sri Lankans in their run chase.

“Asian conditions are conducive for spin bowlers and it doesn’t help fast bowlers,” Misbah said.

“The pitches in Bangladesh were not helping fast bowlers as only a couple of fast bowlers like [Lasith] Malinga could excel.”

Sri Lankan sling-arm bowler Malinga claimed 11 wickets during the Asia Cup — with five in the final — to finish level with Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal as leading wicket-takers.

Misbah added that Pakistan need to work on their fielding with the players dropping a few crucial catches in the Asian event.

With Misbah not being a part of the T20 team and with no international activity at least until October, Misbah plans to spend the next five months with his family.

“I would like to spend maximum time with my family as I haven’t done so due to hectic cricket activities in recent past,” he said.