DHAKA - Azhar Ali, the Pakistan captain, has said his team lost grip of the third and final ODI when he and Haris Sohail got out during the batting Powerplay. But he conceded that Bangladesh played the better cricket blank out Pakistan in the three-match series.
"We were going quite nicely till the 40th over when Sohail got out," Azhar said. "We lost the momentum of the innings which I think was the turning point. We should have scored nearly 300 or more. I think the last 12 overs were very disappointing. We didn't make runs, and lost eight wickets. Before the series started, we knew Bangladesh were an improved side. They did well in the World Cup. They were doing very well in their home soil, gave tough time to the opposition. We knew it wasn't going to be easy. As Pakistan team, we didn't play enough good cricket."
Azhar said that he didn't feel much joy getting to the hundred as they ultimately lost the game. He took the responsibility for the loss, saying that the coaching staff can only tell them what to do. "Personal performance is not that much enjoyable when you don't win, " he said. "I am really disappointed that my innings couldn't make my team win. As a captain I feel responsible for not performing."
Azhar defended M Hafeez, who made eight runs in the three matches, before adding that Sarfraz Ahmed and Saeed Ajmal were not dropped but rested. "They (Sarfraz and Ajmal) were rested, not dropped," he said.