Babar rues dropping Warner after Australia loss

Australia defeated Pakistan by 62 runs in Bengaluru after batting first and putting a huge total of 367 on the board. 

Player of the Match David Warner’s 163 off 124 was the innings that essentially got them there, along with his fellow opener Mitch Marsh’s 121. They both had a partnership of 259 in just 33.5 overs, allowing Australia to put up 367 despite losing regular wickets after that. 

However, David Warner was fortunate to be dropped by Usama Mir when he was just 10*. The impact of that drop was such that the Pakistan skipper listed it as one of the major reasons his team failed in the game. 

“And if you drop the catch of someone like Warner, he won't spare you. This is a big scoring ground, margin of error is very less.”

Even Warner recognised in his post-match interaction with the broadcasters that “I [He]was just one bit of luck away”, and Pakistan gave him that today. 

Meanwhile, Babar also regretted not bowling well in the first 34 overs of the game but commended the way his bowlers came back later on in the game to restrict Australia to a total well below 400, which was looking certain at a point. 

“First 34 overs in the bowl and field cost us…Whole credit to fast bowlers and spinners for the way we pulled it back in last few overs. I just tried to hit the length and hit the stumps. “

Pakistan now faces an uphill task in the upcoming matches as they have lost two matches on the trot against India and Australia, and ideally need to win at least two against South Africa, New Zealand and England even if they defeat Bangladesh and Afghanistan to reach the semi-finals comfortably.