Hussain Talat: No Team Disappointment After Loss to India

 

Abu Dhabi, September 24 (PTI) – Pakistan all-rounder Hussain Talat has dismissed the idea that the team’s morale has dropped following their six-wicket defeat to India in the Asia Cup Super 4 match. He emphasized that the players focused on staying composed and ignored external criticism to concentrate on the remaining fixtures.

 

Talat was instrumental in Pakistan’s five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday, helping his side secure two vital points. Coming in during a tense chase of 133, with Pakistan struggling at 80 for 5, Talat’s all-round performance of 2 wickets for 18 runs and an unbeaten 32 guided the team to victory, keeping hopes alive for an India-Pakistan final. Pakistan now need a win against Bangladesh on Thursday to stay in contention for the title.

 

Talat said in the post-match press conference, “There was no feeling of disappointment going into the match against Sri Lanka. Yes, we had lost to India earlier in the Super 4 stage, and that wasn’t easy, but we gave our best effort. Coming into this game, there was no added pressure. Criticism was there, but we consciously chose to focus on our game because negative talk is never helpful before an important match.”

 

So far in the tournament, India has defeated Pakistan in both encounters. Tensions between the teams rose when Indian players chose not to perform the traditional handshakes at the toss and after the match, as a mark of respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

 

Reflecting on the win over Sri Lanka, Talat said it brought positivity back into the dressing room. “The victory has boosted confidence. If we approach the remaining two matches with the right intensity, we can lift the Asia Cup trophy. The atmosphere in the camp is positive, and the management is supporting the players rather than replacing them for a single poor performance. Now it’s all about playing well in the last two games,” he added.