We blame ourselves for the defeat, says Misbah-ul-Haq ? Cricket News Update
Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has admitted that he played a wrong shot to be dismissed on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at Cape Town and believes that it was the turning point of the match.
At one stage on day four, the Green Shirts were leading by 126 runs with six second innings wickets in hand. However, Misbah decided to sweep Robin Peterson out of the rough, only to top-edge the ball to short-fine leg.
The rest of the batting line-up failed to absorb pressure and were dismissed for merely 169 runs, giving South Africa a target of 182 to win the match as well as the series, which they did for the loss of six wickets.
While speaking to reporters after the match, the Pakistan captain took the responsibility on his shoulders and said that his dismissal triggered the collapse. On top of that, Misbah also admitted that his side should not have allowed the hosts to score 326 runs in their first innings, since they were at 164 for the loss of six wickets at one stage. Due to a superb 84 by Peterson, the home team conceded a minimal lead of 12 runs.
?That was the turning point. After that, the collapse started,? Misbah said. ?We really blame ourselves. We made mistakes and we couldn't afford to do that. The lead should have been 70 or 80 runs.?
Chasing 182 did not turn out to be a walk in the park for the South African batting line-up as they lost six wickets before crossing the line. Pakistan captain was all praise for Saeed Ajmal, who picked up 10 wickets in the match, but thinks that the result could have been much different if the other bowlers had supported the great off-spinner.
He added, ?Whenever you are chasing 250 in the last innings and Saeed Ajmal is on the opposition side, it is difficult. And pressure is different when you are chasing 250 to when you are chasing 180. Ajmal really gave us a chance but we could not [put] pressure from both sides and runs were flowing.?
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