Pakistan botched up the run chase of 120 against India at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. They lost the match by six runs despite having 57 runs on the board for the loss of one wicket at the halfway mark in the run chase. The loss led to disappointment for players and the head coach Gary Kirsten who has been with the team less than two weeks in person.
In the post-match press conference, Kirsten was asked whether the team lacks the ability to handle pressure situations. The former India head coach said that there is a need to adapt to ever-changing world of international cricket.
"I'm having a look into the environment and looking at what the issues are. I look at these players, I've watched them play many, many years on TV and kind of getting to know them, they're fantastic guys," the former South Africa opener said.
"I mean, there's a lot of very disappointed guys in the change room now. I think for me the most important thing for every international player is that you continue growing...," he explained.
"The game is changing pretty much every year. So, if you're not up to it and you're not improving, you're going to get found out somewhere."
Pakistan lost in last five overs
Kirsten said that Pakistan lost the plot in the last five overs of the run chase.
"...I thought we did that brilliantly for 15 overs. We kept it at a run a ball, and then we lost wickets and then we stopped scoring ones and then we were looking for boundaries and once you've got to that point, it was always going to be hard.
"So, the message was to do what we executed on for 15 overs," the coach said.
Kirsten lauds bowling effort
Despite the defeat, he lauded the Pakistan bowling lineup for bowling out India for 119.
"(It) got better and better and we've tracked their stats over the last 15 odd games, and they've been an incredible bowling unit from overs 10 to 20. I think our record between overs 10 to 20 as a bowling unit is up there with the best," he said.
"We've got four fantastic seamers and Imad Wasim I thought bowled really well today as well. So, we've got some nice options on the ball with the team and I think we're going to be a difficult team to bat against if we bowl like that," he added.
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