Hafeez and company fold under pressure

Captain Mohammad Hafeez lamented another inadequate performance, after Pakistan slipped to a six-run loss – and two-nil series defeat – to South Africa in Friday's final Twenty20 International at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Captain Mohammad Hafeez lamented another inadequate performance, after Pakistan slipped to a six-run loss – and two-nil series defeat – to South Africa in Friday's final Twenty20 International at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

All out for a mere 98 in the first fixture, the Pakistanis were unable to gather a swift turnaround, instead restricted to 144 for nine in pursuit of a reachable 151-run target.

Middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood's 37 was the highest score, while Hafeez and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq perished for ducks. Openers Ahmed Shehzad and Nasir Jamshed and the recalled Shoaib Malik, meanwhile, managed just 55 runs between them.

"I think this is the sequence of the series. Not finishing games very well. When we needed to play normal cricket, we didn't handle the pressure. Credit goes to South Africans for bowling in the right areas, though," said Hafeez.

"Every time we thought we were there, we couldn't finish it. The middle and lower order are not doing the job that is required. Finishing is required in this team. Whatever the requirement of the team we have to do accordingly. There are some positives: Masqood, Shehzad and Nasir."

The teams will meet again in South Africa, later this month, for two T20Is and three ODIs. The participation of injury-prone fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, however, is doubtful. Irfan bowled 10 deliveries in Friday's fixture before leaving the field with an apparent hip injury.

"Every individual has to lift themselves up for the team. I think Irfan is doubtful for the return series, when we go to South Africa, and I think he is struggling at the moment," concluded Hafeez.

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