The heavy defeat suffered by Pakistan at the hands of India during the Asia Cup served as a crucial wake-up call, according to head coach Grant Bradburn. He emphasized the importance of the team regrouping and improving their performance ahead of the upcoming World Cup, which is scheduled for next month in India. The crushing loss, with India securing a 228-run victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected Super Four match of the 50-over tournament, raised concerns about Pakistan's readiness for the global competition.
The match itself saw India posting an imposing total of 356-2 in Colombo, following a rain delay that forced the game into a reserve day. Subsequently, they bowled out Pakistan for a mere 128 runs in just 32 overs, marking India's most significant ODI victory over their arch-rivals. Grant Bradburn expressed his perspective on the situation, stating, "My gut feeling is that we are grateful for the gift that has been this last two days." He also acknowledged the rarity of opportunities to face some of the world's best players and the lessons that could be gleaned from such encounters.
Furthermore, Bradburn reflected on Pakistan's recent performance, noting, "We haven't lost a game of cricket for the last three months, so it's a timely reminder that we need to turn up every day, put in our best on the park, and it's actually a gift in the last two days we haven't done that." The decision to bowl first, after winning the toss, did not yield the desired results for Pakistan, as India's opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill forged a formidable 121-run partnership. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul then extended India's dominance with centuries, accumulating a partnership worth 233 runs.
Acknowledging the comprehensive nature of their defeat, Bradburn stated, "We lost at all facets of the game. No excuses, we weren't good enough in the last two days." Despite Pakistan's previous success in rattling India's top order with their bowling, Bradburn emphasized that India's strong batting performance was not surprising. He pointed out that while Pakistan's bowling was renowned for its potency, the team needed to work on enhancing their batting prowess.
In conclusion, Bradburn expressed confidence in Pakistan's batting unit, despite recent struggles, and stressed the importance of consistency in selection. The defeat to India in the Asia Cup served as a valuable lesson, highlighting the need for Pakistan to address their shortcomings and prepare more effectively for the impending World Cup challenge