Pakistan were desperate for a positive result after enduring a “difficult” week following a below-par performance against India in the World Cup but the win over South Africa is “not an answer to the critics”, says skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Pakistan faced severe criticism from fans and former playersalike after their seventh World Cup defeat to arch-rivals India on June 16 butthe team bounced back to outwit South Africa by 49 runs on Sunday, revivingtheir semifinal hopes.
“Our win is not an answer to the critics. We are hereto play cricket, and like any other side, believe we can win the WorldCup,” said Sarfaraz in an interview released to the Pakistani media by thePakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The under-fire Pakistan skipper insisted that the mantra ofthe team was “we lose as a team and we win as a team”.
“This has been the mantra of the Pakistan cricketteam,” he said.
“The win over South Africa was the result of a completeteam effort. We badly needed a positive result following a difficult last week,when our below-par performance against India was followed by severe criticism,some justified and some unjustified.”
Sarfaraz said that Pakistan had made mistakes against Indiaand after the defeat the players sat down together and analysed theirperformances.
“We talked through our mistakes and expresseddetermination not to repeat them,” he said.
The Pakistan skipper also praised Haris Sohail, who blasteda 59-ball 89 to guide Pakistan to a challenging 308 for 7 against South Africa.
“No praise would be enough for the innings. Harisplayed and he made the difference, in a tight situation and in only his secondmatch of the tournament,” he said.
“He batted like Jos Butler of England. He looked hungryand his body language was very positive right from the start of hisinnings,” he said.
Sarfaraz also explained why the team management had notplayed Haris against England, Australia, and India in the World Cup.
“It was because we wanted to play with a particularcombination. He has a very wise head on his shoulders and that helps him toconstruct his innings and accelerate at the right time with clean and precisehitting,” Sarfaraz said.
“It is unfortunate that his career has been marred byinjuries. I hope the innings will now give his career the deserving lift, moreimportantly, the recognition.”
Sarfaraz, however, admitted that fielding has been a worryfor his side.
“We dropped too many catches against South Africa, somestraightforward and some half-chances,” he said.Sarfaraz said the team was aware that their nextopponent, New Zealand was a dangerous side, so Pakistan have to lift theirperformance by leaps and bounds.