Batsmen, not Younis Khan should be blamed for defeat against Kiwis : Alam

Lahore, Oct.6 (ANI): Defending captain Younis Khan, Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said that batsmen should be blamed for the defeat against New Zealand in semi-final match of the ICC Champions Trophy.

"Batsmen were responsible for the national team's defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final and not captain Younis Khan who dropped the catch of Grant Elliot," Alam told media persons at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here.

Khan had dropped Elliott in the covers off fast bowler Mohammad Aamer in the 40th over when he was on 42, after which the Kiwi batsman didn't provide a second chance and steered his team to victory with a crucial 104-run stand for the fifth wicket with captain Daniel Vettori.

Alam said the players need to improve their fielding skills and hoped that they would learn from their mistakes.

"We made some mistakes and lost. We also missed a few run-outs," The Daily Times quoted Alam, as saying. (ANI)