Skipper Sarfaraz blames 'small mistakes' in all three depts of game behind Australia defeat

TAUNTON: Pakistan’s captain Sarfaraz Ahmed rues “small mistakes” in all three departments of game after his side’s loss against Australia in World Cup match.

Pakistan lost to Australia by 41 runs as Sarfaraz XI failed to chase a target of 308 runs after they won the toss and put Australia into bat.

Pakistan team has made one change in the squad with Shaheen Shah Afridi replacing Shadab Khan in final XI and Sarfarz has defended the decision to drop the spinner for a fast bowler.

“We wanted to go with four fast bowlers without compromising on batting. If you see, Australia opted for same strategy as well. So, I think that decision was alright,” Sarfaraz said.

“We just couldn’t bowl the way we’re supposed to be bowling in first 30 overs and conceded too many runs,” said Pakistan’s captain adding that the wicket wasn’t of more than 280 runs.

“Fielding was also a difference between two sides today, we made too many mistakes in fielding,” Sarfaraz said.

Pakistan was once looking good and comfortable chasing target of 308 with 136 for two in 25 overs but they lost four wickets in five overs collapsing to 160/6 and Sarfaraz feels that this moment took the game away from Pakistan.

“The way we lost three wickets in 15 balls took the game away from us,” he said.

“If we had some good partnership in the beginning then things would have been the difference, our batsmen went down to soft dismissals after settling,” he said.

Pakistan now plays India on Sunday in Manchester and Sarfaraz feels that his side can win against the arch-rivals.

“We have to correct our mistakes before that game and I think if we control that then we can win against India,” he said.