Pakistan skipper Azhar blames lacklustre fielding for Bangladesh defeat

New Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has blamed his side’s uninspiring show in the field after their loss against Bangladesh in the first ODI in Mirpur.

Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with a comprehensive 79-run win at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

After Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat, the Tigers racked up a huge 329 for 6 riding on two brilliant centuries by Tamim Iqbal (132) and Muhfiqur Rahim (106).

Both the batsmen, however, were given reprieve once in their innings as Pakistani fielders spilled catches.

“We made some mistakes in the field and dropped a few catches in the wrong stages,” Azhar said at the post-match press conference.

Apart from fielding, Azhar also rued poor bowling in the death overs.

“Some of the bowling wasn’t up to our standards, the way we bowled in the death overs and power play we weren’t up to it.”

Azhar thought Bangladesh scored 30-40 runs more than they had expected and that piled the pressure on the tourists.

Azhar Ali, who made his captaincy debut on Friday, however, gave credits to the Bangladesh batsmen.

He is keen to come back strong in the next match.

“We have to look forward now, there is a gap of just one day before the next game but we have to bounce back and show our full strength again.”

The second ODI will be held at the same venue on Sunday.