Experienced batsman Younus Khan hopes Pakistan do not panic and try their best to bounce back against a resurgent England in the second day-night international on Wednesday. England on Monday took the first of four one-day matches by a convincing 130-run margin after Pakistan were bowled out for just 130, with paceman Steven Finn taking a career-best 4-34.
Skipper Alastair Cook had hit his highest one-day score of 137 to guide England to a challenging 260-7, a target Younus said Pakistan should have achieved.
“I hope there is no panic,” said Younus. “We should not panic because we have not batted badly in the last four five matches, so we need to try our best and put Monday’s performance behind us.” Pakistan never recovered after Finn claimed their top four batsmen in just 29 balls and Younus believes that lack of partnerships let the team down. “England had a very good partnership between Cook and (Ravi) Bopara and that helped them,” he said of the 131-run third wicket stand. “It wasn’t a difficult chase but we failed to put up a reasonable stand.”
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took 24 wickets in the preceding 3-0 Test series win, grabbed a career-best 5-43 but England still managed a challenging total. “We couldn’t cash on the two wickets by (Shahid) Afridi but still we should have got that total. England bowled the first 10 overs well, they outclassed us and Finn was very impressive,” said Younus, who made 15.
For Pakistan, Afridi top-scored with 38 as they were bowled out in 35 overs.
Younus praised Cook’s knock.
“When the captain of the team plays like this the whole team is inspired and Cook’s knock lifted England so we have to match them in their body language and performance,” said Younus. For his part, Cook said he hoped his side keeps their feet on the ground after securing the much-needed win.
“It’s only one game, so let’s not get carried away too much. It was a really good performance and we will enjoy the feeling and make sure we come back as a side on Wednesday,” he said.
England’s one-day captain was full of praise for Bopara and Finn.
“I thought the way Ravi played and handled the pressure when we lost those two quick wickets was a real key moment because if we’d lost another couple of wickets it would have been ‘here we go again’. “Finn was outstanding. At 40 for four after 10 overs it’s never over – with Afridi coming in at eight – but that was outstanding bowling and we played close to our potential which was pleasing,” said Cook. The remaining two matches will be played in Dubai on February 18 and 21. Both teams will also play three Twenty20 internationals.
