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ShareMOHALI: Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer admitted his side "made too many mistakes" in their crucial ICC Champions Trophy match against New Zealand at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here that led to their 51-run loss against the Kiwis.
By defeating Pakistan here Wednesday, New Zealand - who went into the match in a do or die situation to stay in the tournament - ended up becoming the first team in the main round of the Champions trophy to book a semi-final berth.
Woolmer said his side's bowling and fielding let them down badly. "We made too many mistakes but New Zealand played well," he said in the post-match media briefing Wednesday night.
The Pakistan coach said his players would now have to react to the situation to win against South Africa Friday at the same venue.
"It will be a tough game as they (South Africa) have just recorded a terrific win," Woolmer said.
Not mincing words, Woolmer said the Pakistani side bowled and fielded badly in the last 10 overs. He said the team did not react adequately under pressure. "The bowling in the last five overs was very disappointing. We will look at how we can rectify our mistakes.
"We also needed two batting partnerships going but that did not happen."
A satisfied New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who Wednesday set a world record of highest number of matches as captain of any side as well as won the Man of the match award, said he could not have asked for more from his players.
"For the first 25 overs, the pitch was bowler friendly and it was hard to score. But then we finished off the innings in a better way," Fleming said after the emphatic win over Pakistan.
He said the turning point of the match for New Zealand was the wicket of Pakistan's Mohammed Yousuf.
Fleming said both Scott Styris and Shane Bond had hamstring problems in this game and hoped they would recover soon.
He said New Zealand was ready for any of the teams reaching the semi-finals.
"Australia and India are in the contention. Even the West Indies have done well recently," he said.
Pakistan captain Younis Khan did not come for the post-match press briefing.
