Shafique Rues Middle-Order Failure After Pakistan's Loss To Australia
Pakistan middle order crumbled under pressure [AP Photo]
Elegant opening batter Abdullah Shafique attributed Pakistan's middle-order failure to his team's crucial loss to Australia in the ICC World Cup 2023 league-stage encounter in Bangalore on Friday (October 20).
The in-form right-hander rued how Pakistan's run-chase of Australia's daunting 367/9 fizzled out once the opposition went past a spirited opening stand Shafique shared with his experienced partner Imam-Ul-Haq.
The Aussies were put under the pump by the Shafique-Imam partnership at the top. Relishing the new ball on a flat batting surface, Shafique hammered 64 off 61 deliveries at his end while Imam brought his calmness and maturity into play for a knock of 70 from 71 balls.
However, the moment Shafique was out top-edging an attempted big shot to the short mid-wicket fielder on 134 for the first wicket, the Aussies re-entered the contest and gradually regained control of the proceedings. No one from the middle-order could replicate the zeal on display from the openers as 46 from Mohammad Rizwan remained the next-best individual score.
Shafique Rues Middle-Order Failure For Aussie Loss
The Asian giants lost their last 10 wickets for just 171 runs from the point Shafique was dismissed and suffered their second consecutive defeat of the tournament by 62 runs on a flat pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Speaking to the press after the loss, Shafique admitted his team's middle-order failure and accepted that the 1992 champions would have to pull their socks quickly heading into the next match against the spirited Afghanistan side on Monday (October 23) in Chennai.
"Australia has played very well; we have to admit that and we have also put in our entire effort. As a bowling unit, in the end, we bowled very well. Our batting was also good, but in the middle overs - we couldn't finish well. Hopefully, we will learn from this and perform better in the next matches," Shafique said.
The cricketer also tried to take the heat off youngster Usama Mir, who dropped the rampaging David Warner earlier in the game before the explosive left-hander went on to record an imperious 163 off 124 deliveries and set up the Aussie win alongside opener Mitchell Marsh (121).
When asked if he feels the leg-spinner's drop catch dictated the course of the game and ultimately hurt Pakistan, Shafique said "No, I don't think so."
"Catches obviously change your game, you get wickets and you get into momentum. All fielders are trying to do their best, but sometimes you don't get that value. But we have given a good fight," the opener added.
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