Pakistan will learn from defeat, says Younis by AFP

---

Player:	Younis Khan
Event:	Australia in United Arab Emirates 2008/09

---

DateLine: 2nd May 2009

 

Pakistan captain Younis Khan said that his team's defeat in the current one-day series against Australia will make them a better side.

 

"Winning and losing doesn't matter for me, because I am here to lift this team and we have adopted good things from Australia," said Younus, after his team lost the fourth of five matches here Friday.

 

The defeat by eight wickets means Pakistan have lost the series to Australia 3-1, with the final match to be played here Sunday.

 

Pakistan, who batted after winning the toss, were restricted to 197, with Australian paceman Doug Bollinger -- playing in only his second match -- rocking them with figures of 5-35.

 

Australia reached their target of 198 for the loss of only two wickets, with skipper Michael Clarke (100 not out) and Shane Watson (85 not out) scoring 197 for the third wicket -- a record against Pakistan in one-day matches.

 

Younus said Pakistan should have taken more wickets.

 

"We lost so we must accept and learn," said Younis, who will come under pressure as captain after the defeat. "We gave opportunities to Australia and they outclassed us."

 

Younus himself replaced Shoaib Malik -- sacked after Pakistan lost 2-1 to Sri Lanka in February.

 

Younus refused to accept that resting frontline paceman Umar Gul for the crucial match Friday was a mistake.

 

"We had to play Shoaib Akhtar," said Younis, referring to the bowler who was rested for the third match, which Pakistan lost by 27 runs here Monday.

 

Gul took 3-38 in the third match and has been Pakistan's most successful bowler, with 24 wickets in his last nine one-day matches.

 

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam also backed Younis, saying the team would learn from its defeat.

 

"The problem is poor batting, you can't win against Australia by scoring 200 or 225," said Alam, who replaced Australian Geoff Lawson in October last year.

 

"We will get a lot of benefits and we will learn, batsmen will learn from Clarke," said Alam, who replaced Australian Geoff Lawson in October.

 

Alam said Pakistan lacked international cricket experience when compared with Australia.

 

"They (Australia) have been playing regular cricket for the last six months, and were playing against top teams," he said.

 

"We didn't have much cricket but I am hopeful that after this series we will learn and be better."

 

After Sunday's match, the two teams also play a Twenty20 match in Dubai on May 7.

(Article: Copyright © 2009 AFP)