Sharjah, Sep 5 (ANI): Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has defended the playing eleven that was selected for the final one-day international (ODI) against Australia.
Pakistan chose to play four spinners and one fast-bowler in the decider, changing a winning line-up that took part in the second ODI in Abu Dhabi.
Batting second, Australia fought back from 159 for five in the 36th over to overhaul the 245-run target with 18 balls to spare.
Misbah said replacing Sohail Tanvir with Shahid Afridi, who missed the second game due to injury, was not a mistake even though the all-rounder made just seven after being promoted to number three and went wicketless in his 10 overs that cost 62 runs.
"Spinners are our strength. Moreover, everyone knows that the Sharjah track is slow and so players struggle against spin, so we went in with only one pacer. I've already said that [bringing in Afridi] was because we wanted to strengthen our spin department, and he bowled okay in the first game," Misbah told cricinfo.com.
"So, that is why we included him and went in with one fast-bowler. [When batting] we promoted him up the order so that he could get some time to settle in, but unfortunately he could not get runs."
Pakistan were also let down by poor fielding with dropped catches of David Hussey and Glenn Maxwell.
However, Misbah said, it was not just their fielding that needed improving.
"I think we have to improve in every department of the game, especially with finding the right combination of fast-bowlers - an area in which we are really struggling. We have to improve our batting in the Powerplays because if you keep losing wickets, that is only going in favour of the other team." (ANI)
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