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Photos: Dhoni blames middle-order collapse for loss

Last updated on: December 26, 2012 11:57 IST
MS Dhoni captain of India and Mohammad Hafeez captain of Pakistan

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels the failure of middle-order batsmen to capitalize on the good start provided by openers led to the five-wicket loss against Pakistan in the first Twenty20 encounter in Bangalore.

-We should have got more runs on this track: Dhoni

Dhoni said loss of wickets at regular intervals, after being in a strong position at 75 without loss in 10 overs, hurt the team badly.

"The batsmen got out trying to play big shots. We could have easily scored 200 if we had applied ourselves," Dhoni complained.

'We wanted to give Jadeja a go'

Last updated on: December 26, 2012 11:57 IST

On the umpire not giving a decision in India's favour when Ishant Sharma had got Shoaib Malik (57 not out) caught off a ball which climbed a tad above shoulder level, Dhoni said, "It was a fair decision but I am not sure if you are allowed to refer it (to the third umpire) or not."

-Stats: Bhuvneshwar is best debutant Indian fast bowler

Asked about R Ashwin's omission from the playing eleven, Dhoni said, "Since we had three seamers, we wanted to give Jadeja a go. At the same time we had other resources as well."

'Yuvraj, Jadeja are not world-class spinners'

Last updated on: December 26, 2012 11:57 IST

Pakistan skipper Mohammed Hafeez said the team played according to a plan and targeted India's part-time spinners -- Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja -- who are not world-class bowlers.

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"I know they are in good form, but they are not world-class spinners. And hence we planned to dominate them after seeing off pacers early on," Hafeez said.

'Malik showed great character'

Last updated on: December 26, 2012 11:57 IST

Hafeez said after Pakistan lost three early wickets and were struggling at 12 for three in three overs, he and Shoaib Malik decided to play off Bhuvneshwar Kumar and other Indian pacers.

"Malik showed great character and we built a partnership," he said.

'Mohammad Irfan was our surprise package'

Last updated on: December 26, 2012 11:57 IST

Hafeez had words of praise for debutant Bhuvneshwar, who had figures of three for nine in four overs.
"He bowled very well. He was swinging the ball nicely," he said.

Hafeez said his players showed a lot of character on the field, especially bowlers who restricted India beyond his expectations.

"Mohammad Irfan was our surprise package. I think he started off like one. Along with him, Sohail Tanvir also bowled well in right areas. Umar Gul also came off good in middle overs," he said.

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