Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore Sunday expressed satisfaction over his team’s performance during their winning Asia Cup campaign, saying it would have been the icing on the cake to beat arch-rivals India. Pakistan beat Bangladesh in a thrilling final by two runs in Dhaka on Thursday, lifting the Asia Cup for the second time. It was Whatmore’s first assignment since taking over earlier this month. The former Australian batsman — who guided Sri Lanka to the World Cup title in 1996 — said his team had been consistent and competitive in all matches. “It would have been the icing on the cake to have beaten India and go on to win the cup. We made some mistakes but were in the game late in the second 50-over block,” Whatmore told AFP. “It was just one of those games that makes you analyse more.” India’s Virat Kohli smashed a career-best 183 to help India chase down a daunting 330-run target but India failed to make it to the final. Whatmore, who also helped Bangladesh reach the latter stages of the 2007 World Cup held in the Caribbean, praised the Asia Cup hosts. “Bangladesh had a really good Asia Cup. On the evidence of this tournament, everyone would agree they have improved. They need to be consistent now,” he said. Whatmore backed Misbah-ul-Haq after the Pakistan captain came under pressure over the team’s 4-0 whitewash against England in a one-day series last month.
