'They were lucky, we were unlucky,' says Iftikhar Ahmed after Pakistan-Sri Lanka encounter

Pakistan posted a decent total of 252 runs in 42 overs in the rain-stricken game against the Lankan Lions. Initially, it was all Sri Lanka in the second innings, toying with the Men-in-Green's bowlers.

The game started to change when Iftikhar dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama on a total of 177 runs. Pakistan bounced back in the contest and took the game to the very last delivery of the game.

"It was Zaman Khan's debut, but he was saying just give me 6 or 7 runs in the last over, and I will win you the match," shared Iftikhar in a video by the Pakistan Cricket Board. "But it happens in cricket, 6 runs in two runs and you get a four off an edge. I believe they were lucky and we were unlucky."

The 33-year-old further stated that the total they posted should have been enough to win the match, but he also gave credit to the Sri Lankan batters who played brilliantly.

Moreover, Iftikhar assured that they are the top team in the world and they played like one, but the results were not favourable.

"See, we are the no 1 team, and we played like the no 1 team," he said. "It is a part of the game. We lost, but it doesn't mean we are down and out. Our team has that spirit of making of fighting because the way boys were playing and trying their best, I believe we will have a good result in the World Cup."