Azhar Ali blames dropped catches for the loss against India in the Champions Trophy

India vs Pakistan is always a showpiece encounter and such big games are often decided by one or two pivotal moments. Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali echoed that belief and said that dropped catches in the first innings allowed Indian batsmen to pile on runs and hurt Pakistan’s chances of chasing down the total.

“We have ourselves to blame and as a team, we have to collectively accept the responsibility and take the blame. We made some crucial mistakes and they were the turning points and proved to be pivotal in the outcome of the match against India.” Azhar Ali quoted as saying by Circle of Cricket

Azhar Ali did not pass the blame of defeat

Azhar Ali who was appointed as the captain of the ODI team after 2015 World Cup refused to blame the pressure built by the hype of the India-Pakistan clash.

“I don’t think we were under pressure or more nervous than we would be for any other international match. India versus Pakistan matches are always huge encounters and are decided more often than not in key moments and we were found wanting at the crucial moments,” he further added

Dropped Catches Hurt Pakistan

Pakistan had enjoyed many successes over India especially in the last millennium, much of that success was built on strong bowling line-up which used to keep Indian batting in check. This time too, bowling was Pakistan’s biggest strength, but their fielding let them down by dropping catches at crucial junctures.

Azhar Ali said that missed catches especially the two dropped off Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh meant India were let off the hook and hence it allowed them to build a good score.

“If we had taken those two catches it could have been an altogether different match and India would not have found it easy to reach such a large total. If we had taken the catches of Kohli and Yuvraj, then who knows there may have been a different outcome of the match” the right-hander added

Pakistan will take on South Africa in what can be a Do or Die game for them and if Pakistan has any desires of going further in the tournament they must get their act right in the fielding department.