Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed (Credits: Getty Images)

Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Pakistan had an improbable task at their hands when they locked horns against Bangladesh in their final group game. Pakistan needed to beat the Tigers by more than 300 runs to leapfrog New Zealand and secure a passage to the semifinals. The buildup to the game was dominated by talks surrounding the equation Pakistan faced to better their net run-rate.

A win for Pakistan would have put them level with New Zealand on points and number of wins. In that scenario, the net run-rate would have decided who would progress ahead. And on the eve of the clash, Sarfaraz Ahmed had become the talk of the town after boldly stating that his team would try to score 500 runs against Bangladesh.

Also Read: Will Try To Score 500 Against Bangladesh, Says Sarfaraz Ahmed

Sarfaraz Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed (Credits: Twitter)

In the end, Pakistan fell well short of what their captain had predicted as they scored 315 for 9. The Men in Green then needed to dismiss Bangladesh for seven or less to storm into the semifinal. The bowlers did well but Bangladesh managed to score 221. Shaheen Afridi starred with the ball by picking up a sensational six-wicket haul.

But as soon as the game ended, the focus shifted back to Sarfaraz Ahmed with many trolling him for his pre-match comments. The Pakistan skipper has now denied the reports suggesting that he backed his team to score 500 runs.

“I had never said that we will score 500. In fact, I had said that it would need a miracle for us to score 500 and get the other team out on 100. Someone in the ground told me ‘Come on, Sarfaraz, we have to score 500’. And I said, ‘Well, okay’,” said Sarfaraz Ahmed.

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Pakistan
Pakistan (Image Credit: Twitter)

The wicketkeeper-batsman further expressed his disappointment over his team not qualifying because of the net run-rate. At the same time, he said he was happy with the way his teammates played.

“It is unfortunate that we couldn’t qualify due to the NRR. But, I am happy with every player. Everyone, regardless of being senior or junior, contributed. I am also thankful to the coaching staff as well. They are normally behind the scenes and don’t get credit. But, I am thankful to them and especially Mickey Arthur who kept things together in difficult times,” said Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra Brutally Mocks Sarfaraz Ahmed After He Says His Team Would Score 500