We lost too many wickets in the beginning: Reifer | World News - Hindustan Times
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We lost too many wickets in the beginning: Reifer

PTI | By, Johannesburg
Sep 24, 2009 01:31 PM IST

West Indies skipper Floyd Reifer has admitted that losing too many wickets early in the innings did his side in against Pakistan in the low-scoring Group- A match of the ICC Champions Trophy in Johannesburg.

West Indies skipper Floyd Reifer has admitted that losing too many wickets early in the innings did his side in against Pakistan in the low-scoring Group- A match of the ICC Champions Trophy in Johannesburg.

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Pakistan defeated a depleted West Indies by five wickets after bowling out the Caribbeans for a paltry 133 runs in 34.3 overs on Wednesday.

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"We lost too many early wickets. We didn't get a good start and so unfortunately we didn't get enough runs as well," Reifer said after the match.

Asked whether the pitch had anything to do with their batting failure, he said, "The pitch actually did more than we expected. We played a couple of warm-up games here but it was good to bat on but today it did little bit extra."

Reifer, however, praised Nikita Miller for his gutsy 51 and fast bowler Gavin Tonge, who scalped four wickets for 25 runs.

"Miller played well. Tonge and others guys bowled well and we even fielded well, so these are some positives to take from this game," Reifer said.

"But batting is a worrying factor. We have to ensure that when we go out to bat we put on partnerships as it key to big scores. We need to keep working hard at our game. We still have two games against Australia and India, so we still have opportunities in the tournament," he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan stand-in skipper Shahid Afridi credited bowling line-up and made a mention of young batsman Umar Akmal for helping the team get a winning start.

"The guys did a very good job. I think the bowlers bowled very maturely and they all know how to bowl in this track, which has little grass and moisture in it," Afridi said.

"But in the second innings it was really difficult after losing five wickets. I just told Umar to play positively and not to worry about the wicket. I told him if a ball is there on the right area, just go and hit it.

"I love brave heart people and he (Umar) is brave and thats what I like in him. He is very positive. He is a good fielder as well has a good future," he said.

Afridi said he still enjoys playing under Younus Khan's captaincy. "I really enjoyed and I am still enjoying under Younus Khan's captaincy. You can't play cricket without enjoyment," he said.

The flamboyant batsman said Pakistan would play out of their skin against India in their second match on Saturday.

"The game against India is very important for us. So I am sure that the guys will give their 110 per cent," Afridi said.

Man-of-the-match Umar Akmal insisted that he never felt pressure when he went to bat although his side was in a spot of bother.

"I didn't feel any pressure when I went out to bat. I always play with a positive attitude and thats what my captain told me to do," he said.

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