NEW DELHI: Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, confronted his team's fielding shortcomings and the need for a fresh approach after their unexpected loss to Afghanistan, a defeat that has placed them on the brink of elimination from the World Cup.
Pakistan's eight-wicket defeat to Afghanistan marked their third consecutive loss in the tournament, following two initial wins. The shocking loss has left Pakistan in a precarious position, needing to win all their remaining four matches to secure a spot in the semifinals.
Azam expressed his frustration with his team's lack of attitude, particularly in the fielding department, during the post-match press conference. He emphasised that fielding requires a positive attitude, extra effort, and fitness, elements he felt were lacking among his players.
"Whenever you do fielding, it is only with attitude. And I don't see any attitude from the team. You need to put in extra effort and be fit," Babar stated. He called for better focus and proactivity from the fielders, citing the need for a more cohesive and efficient fielding unit.
Looking ahead to their upcoming match against South Africa, which is now a make-or-break contest for Pakistan, Azam recognized the necessity for a new approach. He acknowledged that his team would need to foster a positive atmosphere within the squad while addressing their deficiencies.
"We will have to go with a different plan, a different mindset, we will try to bring a positive vibe in the team," the captain stated. He also expressed hope that the team would learn from the defeat against Afghanistan and analyse both their successes and shortcomings.
Babar Azam admitted that Pakistan had been inconsistent in various departments of the game throughout the tournament. He noted, "Sometimes, we do well in bowling, (but) we don't do well in batting. When we do well in batting, we don't do it in fielding."
Pakistan's formidable pace bowling attack, considered one of the best in the world, has struggled to meet expectations in the current World Cup, frequently conceding runs. Azam acknowledged that the absence of pacer Naseem Shah due to injury had been a significant setback for the team.
1/10:World Cup: Afghanistan send Pakistan crashing to shock defeat
Reuters
2/10:Afghanistan beat Pakistan
<p>Afghanistan put up a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup in Chennai on Monday. </p>Reuters
3/10:283-run target
<p>Chasing a 283-run target, Afghanistan were lifted by Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) as they scored 286-2 in 49 overs. </p>PTI
4/10:Babar Azam
<p>Pakistan had made 282-7 in their 50 overs with 74 from skipper Babar Azam and 58 from opener Abdullah Shafique but the total did not prove tough enough for a clinical Afghanistan. </p>TNN
5/10:Highest ODI chase
<p>Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, with a 45-ball 48 not out, hit the winning boundary as Afghanistan improved upon their highest ODI chase of 274 against the UAE in Dubai in 2014.</p>PTI
6/10:Sloppy Pakistan
<p>Pakistan were sloppy in the field as they conceded easy boundaries with openers Zadran and Gurbaz taking their side to 100 in the 16th over. </p>PTI
7/10:130-run stand
<p>Zadran and Gurbaz put on 130 by the 22nd over and it was only a miscued shot from Gurbaz off Shaheen Shah Afridi that brought Pakistan their first wicket. </p>AFP
8/10:Gurbaz and Zadran
<p>Gurbaz hit nine boundaries and a six in his 53-ball knock while Zadran scored 10 boundaries off 113 deliveries before handing a catch behind off Hasan Ali with 93 still needed. </p>PTI
9/10:Match-winning stand
<p>Rahmat and Shahidi ensured Afghanistan did not collapse and Rahmat hit five fours and two sixes in his 84-ball stay at the crease. </p>Reuters
10/10:First-ever ODI win
<p>The win is Afghanistan's first-ever over Pakistan in eight ODIs and came eight days after their shock victory over defending champions England in Delhi. </p>APHe emphasised the need to address these issues and regain their consistency. Despite the challenges, Azam stressed that Pakistan has nothing to lose and will continue to give their best effort in the remaining matches.
Responding to questions about a potential dip in the team's confidence after their loss to arch-rivals India, Azam remained optimistic, stating, "No, I don't think so. It's not like that. We have seen in Australia's match, we had scored almost three hundred. In bowling, we started badly, but we finished up well. But I don't think we have anything to lose. Every team is a new match, and we try to give our best."
