Sarfraz Ahmed: “Imam was caught down the leg side and Fakhar was hit on the helmet. If these things didn’t happen, our position would have been better”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Captain Sarfraz Ahmed believes that had openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman not been dismissed early on, Pakistan wouldn’t have collapsed in their World Cup opener against the West Indies.

Imam was caught behind down the leg side off the bowling of Sheldon Cottrell for just two runs, while Zaman, who made 22, was unlucky as a delivery from Andre Russell struck his helmet before going on to hit the stumps.

After the duo were dismissed, none of the other batsmen could get going and Pakistan were bowled out for a disappointing 105.

Zaman and Babar Azam were the top scorers as they both made 22 runs, while Wahab Riaz chipped in with a quickfire 18 at the end.

Mohammad Hafeez was the only other batsman to reach double figures as he made 16.

Chasing just 106 to win, the West Indies cruised to a seven-wicket win as they triumphed with 218 balls to spare.

“We do have a plan, Fakhar has a style of playing and Imam has a different role. I thought our first two wickets were very soft, Imam was caught down the leg side and Fakhar was hit on the helmet. If these things didn’t happen, our position would have been better,” Sarfraz was quoted as saying by PakPassion.

Pakistan’s next match will be against hosts England in Nottingham on Monday, while the West Indies will take on Australia at the same venue on Thursday.

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