COLOMBO – Canada captain Ashish Bagai praised opposite number Shahid Afridi after the Pakistan talisman smothered his team’s push for an upset World Cup win.
“We started off with the approach of trying to milk him for 30-35 runs, but once he gets wickets he gets right on top of you,” said Bagai. “He gets his variations going and then it gets harder and harder.” Bagai had been hoping that Ireland’s stirring victory over England could have inspired his team, but once again their batting looked brittle.
“Ireland’s win was a good advertisement for cricket and for associate teams. It was inspiring, a good answer to the critics. There was a bit of belief for us, and there always is coming into games,” said Bagai.
