Skipper Misbah-ul Haq Wednesday regretted his team’s long term problems in batting and said he hoped his players learned quickly to avoid another series defeat. Pakistan lost the first limited overs internationals against Australia by four wickets here on Tuesday after another batting collapse saw them bowled out for 198 in 45.1 overs, their last six wickets going for 38 runs.
In contrast Australia fought hard through skipper Michael Clarke’s resolute 96-ball 66 and George Bailey’s responsible unbeaten 57 off 88 deliveries, winning in 48.2 overs after Pakistan spinners threatened to spoil the chase.
Misbah showed disappointment over not scoring big despite including seven regular batsmen in the side.
“I think the strategy (to include seven batsmen) was obvious from the collapse, we are struggling in batting since the England series and then in Sri Lanka so that is why we kept seven batsmen,” said Misbah.
Pakistan are now 1-0 down in the three-match series. They have lost their last two one-day series 4-1 against England here and 3-1 in Sri Lanka.
Misbah said Pakistan were 30 runs short.
