DUBAI: Pakistan T20I captain Shahid Afridi felt the biggest gain from the T20I series against New Zealand was the dressing room atmosphere.
"I cannot compare Twenty20 with the upcoming 50-over World Cup. The dressing room atmosphere is very good. We are learning day by day. Especially the youngsters in the team are learning and trying to do something for the team. The team is focussed and we are improving," said Afridi.
The dashing all-rounder said that the loss in the second T20I to New Zealand was due to the fact that the Pakistan batting did not utilise the powerplay overs well.
"New Zealand really played well. We guys did well in the first innings while bowling. But in the batting we did'nt utilise the powerplay properly. We played a lot of dot balls. At the start, two wickets fell. Then when we had to pick singles and twos, we did not capitalise on that,'' opined Afridi.
The Pakistan T20I captain had hinted beforre the series that he might bat higher in the order.
But he insisted that there was no need for him to do so in the Dubai T20I because the chase was progressing well.
"The chase was going okay and we needed about eight runs an over. Umar Akmal, a genuine batsman was at the crease. We wanted to let the genuine batsmen get a chance. If the asking rate did increase to 10-11, then we always had Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir and myself to take a chance," said Afridi.
Afridi said that dew did play a part in both T20Is and it did impede the bowling side while gripping the ball.
"There was dew and the ball did become wet. They were at times struggling to grip the ball. With our strong line-up we should have chased that score down. If we had accelerated at the right time, we could have won this T20I,'' reckoned Afridi.
Afridi felt he got out at the wrong time because the chase was well within the reach at the time.
The focus now shifts to ODI cricket and Afridi was positive about the team's approach.
"I don't mix T20 cricket with ODI cricket. We have the temparament and experienced players who can contribute to the side. All of us are taking our responsibilities with the seniors and juniors combining well," said Afridi.
In the end Afridi counted the positives felt the side is shaping up well.
"The body language is looking good, the fielding and bowling has been doing well for us for sometime now. We just have to work on a few little things before World Cup. The management is focusing on that very well right now," concluded Afridi.
