Afridi hails Pakistan bowlers

Gul and Razzaq star in win over Australia

Last updated: 19th March 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Afridi hails Pakistan bowlers

Afridi: impressed by Pakistan attack

We didn't do ourselves any favours. I thought our batting was particularly ordinary.

Ricky Ponting
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Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi gave full credit to his bowlers for setting up a four-wicket win over Australia, ending the three-time defending champions' 34-match unbeaten World Cup streak.

Australia's total of 177 was down to some inspired bowling by Pakistan as Umar Gul grabbed 3-30 and fellow seamer Abdul Razzaq finished with 2-8 to help dismiss them inside 47 overs.

Pakistan were the last side to defeat Australia in the competition - 12 years ago at Headingley - and they required 41 overs to reach their target, despite some nervy batting.

"We had made some good plans for Australia and the boys stuck to them," Afridi said.

"We weren't actually looking to take wickets in the beginning. We just wanted to bowl maidens and good overs.

"The way Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq started was great, as did all the other bowlers, so full credit goes to them."

Mature

The result was not without worry though, as Brett Lee's figures of 4-28 had threatened an Australia fightback.

But Asad Shafiq's 46 off 81 deliveries and Umar Akmal's unbeaten 44 led the way for Pakistan.

"Asad did a great job," Afridi added. "He and Umar played mature cricket. We needed a partnership at the right time and they provided that."

The win sees Pakistan top Group A, but Afridi was quick to refute suggestions they will consequently face a weaker team from the other half of the draw in the quarter-final.

He said: "I don't think any team is weak in this competition.

"This win was important to keep us in a good position in the group. We will now play the quarter-final with good and positive body language."

Ordinary

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was left to blame some "ordinary" batting from his players that saw their enviable run in the competition come to a soft end.

"We certainly got a tough game today," Ponting said. We didn't do ourselves any favours. I thought our batting was particularly ordinary.

"We started off well with the ball, gave ourselves a bit of a chance having them six down but in the end, not enough runs on the board."

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Comments (1)

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Nabeel Siddiqui says...

Bowling wins you matches whether ODIs, tests or T20. But its strange to see Pakistan sticking with Wahab instead of Shoaib. Wahab has been ordinary at best and a half fit Shoaib is still better. Pakistan should play with Gul, Shoaib, Ajmal and Rahman and get rid of one batsman. But i think the negative approach of defending your weakness rather than making use of your strength, will continue.

Posted 15:38 21st March 2011
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