Fielding Errors Leave Pakistan Frustrated

Barbados: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis made no attempt to hide his frustration after the defending World Twenty20 champions poor fielding played a major role in their six-wicket loss to England.

For all their undeniable brilliance with bat and ball, Pakistan in recent times have been almost comically inept in the field.

But even by their own standards, Pakistan's display against England at the Kensington Oval here on Thursday was something else.

They dropped five catches, with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal putting down three by himself including a routine chance at mid-on from Craig Kieswetter when the England opener had yet to score.

"It can be very frustrating, the way we dropped the catches and the way we fielded," said fast bowling great Waqar, who might not have reacted with total equanimity to Ajmal's fielding had he still been on the field himself.

However, while such a display by an England or Australian side would have led to widespread condemnation and extra practice, Waqar has enough experience of Pakistan at international tournaments to know that there is still time for his inconsistent yet gifted side to turn things around.

"We're not out of the tournament, so we don't really have to worry about that," he said.

New Zealand, well beaten in a 13-run loss to South Africa here on Thursday, are Pakistan's next opponents and captain Shahid Afridi said his side would have to up their game against the Black Caps on Saturday.

"We missed our opportunities against England and you can't afford to miss opportunities," Afridi said. "We are working hard but right now I don't know why we are missing opportunities."

England held Pakistan to 147 for nine before Kevin Pietersen, also the beneficiary of two dropped catches, saw his side home with an unbeaten 73.

"You must give Kevin Pietersen credit for the way he played - he batted like a champion and took the game away from us," Waqar said.

"I thought 147 was a decent total, maybe 15 runs short - but with our bowling attack, I thought we could have managed it," he added.