We lacked in bowling department: Malik

GWALIOR: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik blamed his pace attack's below-par show for the loss against India in the fourth and penultimate one-dayer here.

"We lacked in bowling. We gave too many runs with the new ball," he rued after losing the do-or-die match against India on Thursday by six wickets that also cost him the series.

The young captain played down the dew factor and said that could not be the reason for his bowlers not doing well.

"Dew was not that big a factor but we gave a bit too many runs with new ball. We gave around 100 runs in some 17 overs," he said.

On his decision to bat first after winning the toss, Malik said he relied on the outcome of last three matches when teams batting first won.

"I had asked for scorecards of the last three matches played here. The teams batting first had won so I decided to bat first," he said.

Malik, however, insisted on putting behind the one day series loss and focus on the upcoming Test series, beginning in Delhi on November 22.

"Everyday is a new day. We should remember only what is good and forget the bad memories. We should now look forward to the Tests," he said.

Malik also hailed Sachin Tendulkar whose sublime 97 runs laid the foundation for India's win.

"Credit to Sachin for the way he played," he said.

Asked how much he enjoyed captaining the side, Malik said, "I am enjoying the captaincy but again you enjoy it when you win."