Iftikhar Ahmed, a top-order batsman for Pakistan, said it is "not an easy setback to accept" that his team lost to India on the final ball of their ICC T20 World Cup Super-12 encounter on October 23 in front of a crowded Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
In India's first Group 2 encounter against Pakistan, batting veteran Virat Kohli lit up the Melbourne night sky with hitting an unbeaten 82 off just 52 balls.
Kohli and Pandya (40) shared a match-winning stand of 113 off 77 deliveries, taking India from 31/4 to chasing 160 on the last ball to start their campaign on the right foot. This came after the right-left fastbowling pair of Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya had taken three wickets to aid in keeping Pakistan to 159/8 in their 20 overs.
Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored one of the game's two half-centuries, claimed the team was "disappointed" after the loss prior to Thursday's Super 12 encounter against Zimbabwe.
"That defeat is difficult to accept. They (the players) felt let down. However, the manner the team was backed by the coach and the captain (Babar Azam) was extraordinary. And the takeaway is crystal clear: that was the opening game; it's time to move on. We also have additional games here "Iftikhar made this statement on Wednesday before the game.
When asked if his bowlers would be pleased by the Perth pitch's speed and bounce, Iftikhar responded, "In Australia, there are amusing tracks. For these bouncy grounds, we must put in a lot of practise. Haris Rauf is a major strike bowler, therefore we anticipate big things from him."