KOLKATA, Jan 3: Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq on Thursday lauded his team for their memorable one-day series over old foes India, while singling out Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez for special praise.

Speaking to the media shortly after Pakistan won the second ODI by 85 runs at the Eden Gardens, Misbah said that despite a batting collapse after Nasir and Hafeez shared a superb opening stand of 141, the team made a great comeback.

“I think the team really played well, specially the way openers started, they gave us a really, really good start and then the bowlers did the job,” he said.

“The way the wicket was playing, I think 300 was on the cards, especially the way the openers were batting.”

Misbah also lauded his bowlers for dismissing India for a meagre 165.

“I think the bowlers are really doing a great job, especially Junaid [Khan] who is moving it both ways and asking questions of the batsmen. [Mohammad] Irfan has his height and [Umar] Gul also bowled well today. [Saeed] Ajmal and [Mohammad] Hafeez always deliver for us,” he said.

A disconsolate Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that that his side will have to improve as a team. “I think the bowlers brought us back in the game. I think when we went in to bat, we lost too many wickets. In the last 30 overs we needed 180, and the key was to have wickets in hand but we never were in a position,” Dhoni said.

“Virat [Kohli] has scored runs for us, but one of the top three needs to be with the middle-order, that will make it easy. We have got the experience in the batting, it is about them coming back to form. Overall we have to improve as a team. We are a good fielding side, but we have to bowl well and develop,” he added.

Man-of-the-Match Nasir said playing at the historic Eden Gardens was always a dream for him.“I just enjoy my batting. The last time I missed the man-of-the-match but lucky this time they gave it to me.

“I just kept a cool mind, and Hafeez played a great innings. Pitch was little bit slow, and I just played according to the ball. It was dream to play in the ground.”—Agencies