After losing the first Test to India, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said that if his team had scored 100 runs more the result could have been different.
NEW DELHI: After losing the first Test to India here Monday, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said that if his team had scored 100 runs more the result could have been different.
"We scored about 100 runs less. If we had scored 300 (in the second innings), the result could have changed," Malik told reporters after India's six-wicket win on the fifth and final day at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium.
Malik, who himself failed with the bat as he managed 0 and 11, said the batting line-up let the team down.
"We did not do well in the batting department," he said.
Malik, however, defended experienced Younis Khan and Mohammed Yousuf, who failed to contribute much.
"Younis and Yousuf are great players. But it is not necessary that every time they will score runs," he said.
The captain also said that his players showed both "aggression and passion" but substantial contributions eluded them.
Pakistan scored 231 in their first innings and India replied with 276 to take a crucial 45-run lead. In their second innings, Pakistan made 247 and India successfully chased the 203-run target, losing four wickets in the process.
Misbah-ul-Haq was Pakistan's top scorer with 82 in the first innings. He made 45 in the second.
Malik also pointed out that had the pitch got more sunlight during the match it would have made a difference to its behaviour.
"When we practised a day before the match, it (the sun) was shining brightly. If it had got as much sunlight during the match its behaviour would have been different," he said.
Asked if the hangover of one-day cricket affected his players, Malik said it did not.
"That's their natural game, that's how they play. If you see players all around, like Ricky Ponting etc., everyone plays his own game," he stressed.
Pakistan lost the One-Day International series to India before the Test match by a 2-3 margin.
On fast bowler Umar Gul, who missed the Test due to a lower back problem, Malik said that he was close to getting fit.
"He is quite fit. In a day or two, he will take the fitness test," he said.
Malik said that despite the defeat, he was looking forward to the next two Tests in Kolkata and Bangalore.
The second Test in Kolkata begins Friday.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}