World Cup 2019: Three mistakes that cost Pakistan the match against India

#3 Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy

Sarfraz Ahmed

There are already several question marks over Sarfraz Ahmed’s role in this Pakistan team and the criticism is bound to increase after some strange decision making in this game. Pakistan’s strength is their bowling attack and their batting is known to crumble during big chases. But in such a high-pressure game and against a quality Indian batting lineup, Sarfraz decided to bowl first and the move backfired severely.

If he had decided to bat first, his decision to play two spinners would have made more sense as there was a lot of turn for Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the second innings. He gave just 2 overs to Wahab Riaz in his opening spell and persisted with the expensive Shadab Khan until the 23rd over. He brought back Riaz in the 24th over and he did provide a breakthrough but by that time India already had a solid platform to their innings.