COLOMBO, Sept 13: Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has blamed his batsmen for his team’s defeat in the ICC Champions Trophy opener Thursday.

“We batted poorly,” conceded Younis. “We lost three quick wickets (for 17 runs) and that put us back. I think 240 or 250 would have been a good score. The batting has been a problem of late.

“I’m pleased with Saeed Anwar’s knock. He was the only one who batted well, but we could have done better.”

Anwar top-scored with 52 in his team’s dismal batting performance. Sri Lanka scored 201-2 in reply to Pakistan’s 200 in the day-night match at the Premadasa Stadium.

Waqar downplayed a verbal duel between his leg-spinner Shahid Afridi and Sri Lankan batsman Aravinda de Silva.

“It’s nothing personal. It just happened in the heat of the moment,” Waqar said of the incident involving the two players who traded words.

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya said he was keen to play for his country despite being unfit.

“I’m not hundred percent fit. I still feel pain in the shoulder, but I thought I should play for my country,” said Jayasuriya, who steered his team to an eight-wicket win with an impressive 102 not out.

Jayasuriya dislocated his shoulder while fielding against South Africa in the Morocco Cup final at Tangiers last month. He was a doubtful starter till Wednesday before being declared fit on the morning of the match.

“I think I shouldn’t have bowled because I was feeling pain,” said the Sri Lankan skipper, who bowled three overs for 15 runs.

He said he did not think his team was under pressure after losing two wickets for 45 runs.

“Pakistan have great fast bowlers, but I don’t think we were under pressure at any stage of the game,” he said.—AFP