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“5th Bowler Gave Too Many Runs”: Rizwan Pins Blame On Saim And Agha Salman After PAK Defeat

Aakash Saini

Mohammad Rizwan and Pakistan players [Source: @Bobi_1A/x]Mohammad Rizwan and Pakistan players [Source: @Bobi_1A/x]

Pakistan lost the rain-marred second ODI to West Indies at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Sunday, August 10 to have the three-match series levelled at 1-1. After scoring 171-7 from 37 overs, Pakistan bowlers failed to defend 181 off 35 overs in a revised target for the West Indies team.

After the match, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan pinned the blame of his team’s defeat on the fifth bowling pair of Saim Ayub and Agha Salman.

Rizwan Blames 5th Bowling Change For Defeat

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan blamed spin bowlers Saim Ayub and Agha Salman for his team’s defeat against West Indies. The wicketkeeper-batter claimed that the pair gave away too many runs with the ball which allowed the West Indies team to get back into the chase.

However, Mohammad Rizwan also added that both Salman and Saim Ayub have been bowling well off late, and occasional failures are “just part of the game”. While speaking with the reporters during the post-match press conference, the Pakistan captain said:

“You could say our fifth bowler gave away too many runs, but in recent years, Salman Agha and Saim Ayub have both bowled well for us. Saim didn't have the best day today, but he performed well in the T20Is. That's just part of the game.”

A Tough Day For Pakistan Bowlers

For the unversed, Saim Ayub conceded 33 runs off his four overs while Agha Salman leaked 33 from his three overs. The two spinners collectively conceded 66 runs in just seven runs to undo the foundation laid out by Hasan Ali (2-35), Abrar Ahmed (1-23 off 7) and Mohammad Nawaz (2-17 off 7).

Nonetheless, Pakistan will now face West Indies in the series-deciding third ODI match on August 12 at the same venue.