Poor batting did us in: Islamabad captain

dubai — Islamabad United captain Misbah-ul-Haq said that poor batting cost them the game against the Karachi Kings in the second play-off of the HBL Pakistan Super League at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, late on Wednesday night.

Chasing a modest target of 127, the defending champions folded up for 82, to lose by a heavy margin of 44 runs.

And while Misbah said that there were different characteristics to the pitch, with low bounce and the ball not coming on to the bat, he didn’t want to give any excuses and said that they should have won it on a canter.

“The pitch was a bit different from Tuesday’s game. There was low bounce and the ball was not coming on to the bat. But it was a target which we should have achieved but we didn’t bat well at all. Karachi bowled really well and built pressure. They took wickets at regular intervals. It was poor batting from us,” said Misbah.

“It is disappointing for us because we could’ve won the game. But overall, Islamabad United did very well in the PSL and we were the defending champions. And we were looking to go beyond this stage but this is how it is. I think credit must go to Karachi, they defended the target, they played well and they are in the next stage,” he added.

Misbah also rued the fact that they couldn’t go on and defend the title. “We always wish that our team was in Pakistan and was playing the final and win the tournament. It is disappointing that we cannot but for Pakistan and especially for the people of Pakistan who want to see cricket, I feel it will be a massive match for them. Last time, when Zimbabwe had toured, the way people turned up and the passion they showed, it showed it was a big event for them,” Misbah said.

james@khaleejtimes.com