Colombo: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said “fearless” Ishan Kishan’s marauding fifty was the difference between his side and India, and urged his players to rally after the heavy defeat in the marquee clash of the T20 World Cup here.
Led by Kishan’s aggressive 77 off 40 balls, India trumped Pakistan by 61 runs in a Group A match here Sunday night to seal a Super Eight berth.
“I think he’s fearless. He’s able to score on both sides of the ground. So, he’s not just committed to the leg side. We know he’s incredibly strong there, but he can reverse. So, if you’ve got spin, especially in the power play, it can be a challenge,” Hesson said in the post-match press conference.
Hesson rebuked the idea that the pressure of the contest is what causes his team to underperform. “I know it’s a huge event — Pakistan against India. But we have played some good cricket, winning five games on the bounce. We are really disappointed we didn’t play as well as we could,” he said.
Indian vice-captain Axar Patel also lavished praise on Kishan, calling it one of his best knocks in international cricket. “The way he batted, it wasn’t easy because the ball was spinning. He has carried forward his form from domestic cricket, and when the confidence is high, you don’t think much about yourself or the wicket,” the spinner said.
