Thaindian News

Gros Islet (St.Lucia), April 23(ANI): Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has blamed his batsmen for the defeat against the West Indies in their inaugural Twenty20 international clash on Thursday.

Umar Akmal was the top scorer for Pakistan, with a run-a-ball 41, but the West Indies were in control throughout the innings. A feisty, unbeaten 21 from Saeed Ajmal gave late hope to Pakistan as they were restricted to 143 for nine in their 20 overs, chasing 151 for victory at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in Gros Islet.

“I think the pitch was good for batsmen, and I don’t know why we missed this opportunity to win this match,” The News quoted Afridi, as saying.

Pakistan’s reply to Windies’ 150 started badly, when they lost both openers within the first four overs, and the visitors’ batting was undermined chiefly by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, whose four wickets for 17 runs from his allotted four overs earned him the man-of-the-match award.

“We are not building any partnerships. This is what has been missing for us for a few months. Bishoo bowled really well, and all of their bowlers delivered in the right areas,” Afridi said.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy was thrilled by the victory in front of the home crowd.”We wanted to start off on a winning note. It shows the preparation we have been putting in at the camp in Barbados and here in St Lucia,” Sammy said.

“The guys went out there and played as a team and we came out victorious… That was a good start for us and we’re just looking to improve coming into the one-day series,” he added.The opening One-day International (ODI) of the five-match series between Pakistan and the West will be played at the same venue on Saturday (today). (ANI)