LAHORE - Australia captain Josh Inglis has conceded that his side's batting shortcomings were the decisive factor behind their defeat to Pakistan in the third ODI, admitting the visitors failed to post a competitive total on a challenging Gaddafi Stadium surface. Speaking after Australia's series-deciding loss in Lahore, Inglis said his team fell well short of the score required to put sustained pressure on Pakistan.
"We did not manage to score what we wanted on that wicket. A total above 200 would have given us a much stronger position, but we probably finished 30 to 40 runs short," Inglis remarked. The Australian skipper believed that spending more time at the crease could have significantly altered the outcome of the contest. "Had we batted another 10 to 15 overs, we would have been in a far better position and could have posted a much more competitive total," he added.
Inglis also identified the run-outs during Australia's innings as a pivotal turning point, saying such dismissals are particularly costly on difficult batting surfaces where every partnership carries added importance. Defending his decision to bat first after winning the toss, Inglis said: "Our assessment was that batting would become more difficult later in the match, which is why we chose to bat first. Had we reached somewhere around 220 to 230, it would have been a very competitive score on that surface."
The Australian captain said his side adopted a measured approach during the powerplay because batting against the new ball was far from straightforward. "The new ball was challenging and, even while it remained hard, the spinners were receiving assistance from the pitch. That made scoring difficult throughout the innings," he noted.
Despite the series defeat, Inglis expressed satisfaction with the development of Australia's younger players, describing the tour as a valuable learning experience. "Conditions in Pakistan are quite different from what many of our players are accustomed to. For the younger members of the squad, this series provided an excellent opportunity to learn, adapt and gain important international experience," he said.
Inglis also threw his support behind senior batters Cameron Green and Marnus Labuschagne, insisting that temporary struggles in demanding conditions should not overshadow their proven quality. "They are world-class players. When you are playing continuously in challenging conditions, scoring runs is not always easy. I have every confidence that both of them will return to their best form and continue making significant contributions for Australia," he concluded.
