'Hearbroken' Pakistan still hurting from India loss, says Iftikhar
Cricket
Iftikhar admitted Pakistan team was heartbroken after India defeat.
MELBOURNE (Online) - Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed admitted on Wednesday his side were "heartbroken" and still hurting from their agonising opening defeat to arch-rivals India at the Twenty20 World Cup.
A classic 82 not out from Virat Kohli powered India to a spectacular last-ball win on Sunday in front of a frenzied crowd of more than 90,000 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Pakistan have little room left for further error when they play Zimbabwe in Perth today, in this game they will be expected to win.
"The hurt remains after losing such a big match. We were heartbroken," said middle-order batter Iftikhar, who hit 51 in Pakistan’s 159-8, but it turned out to be just not quite enough.
Iftikhar said that morale was high despite the lingering heartache and praised skipper Babar Azam for his handling of the team in the aftermath of the India loss.
A video of Azam’s spirit boosting talk to his wrecked side also went viral.
Pakistan will be strongly fancied to beat Zimbabwe and belatedly get their World Cup going.
"Zimbabwe is an international team and we have to play strong against them like any other team," said the 32-year-old Iftikhar.
"Important to play well and keep up the confidence. The players are hungry to perform."
Pace bowler Haris Rauf bowled well at the MCG until he was hit for two consecutive sixes by Kohli in a game-changing moment at the end of the penultimate over.
"The Australian pitches are fast and bouncy and we have prepared for that," said Iftikhar.
"Haris is our main strike bowler and we expect him to bowl better here and win it for Pakistan," he said.
