Losing to India not end of the world: Hasan Ali

BENGLURU (AFP): Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali insisted Thursday that the demoralising World Cup defeat to arch-rivals India “wasn’t the end of the world”.

Pakistan went down by seven wickets at Ahmedabad last weekend, their eighth loss in eight meetings with India at World Cups.

Pakistan are still well-placed at the tournament, however, with two wins and aim to make it three on Friday when they tackle five-time champions Australia in Bengaluru.

“Yes, we lost to India due to making mistakes but the stopped bus will now take two points from every stop,” said Hasan.

“Losing to India wasn’t the end of the world. The game against India is history and that’s behind us.”

He added: “We have discussed our mistakes in the last game so we will do our best to overcome them. We are here to win the World Cup and to achieve that we have to show improvement.”

Hasan, his country’s leading wicket-taker at the tournament with seven victims, admitted Australia will be a tough challenge after they defeated Sri Lanka last time out following two opening losses.

Australia have also beaten Pakistan in 16 of their last 20 ODI meetings.

“Australia is not an easy team. We have to play at our best and that we did not do against India,” said Hasan.

On Friday, Pakistan are expected to drop Shadab Khan, who has managed just two wickets in three games, in favour of fellow leg-spinner Usama Mir.

Hasan also backed new-ball partner Shaheen Shah Afridi, struggling with fitness and a lack of wickets — just four so far in three games.

“Shaheen has won us many matches. I know he is not fit right now but very soon he will be there. He is a champion.”