Afridi rues missed chances

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was pleased with his side's performance in their five-wicket Twenty20 international defeat to England in Cardiff, but wants the players to take their opportunities in the second game (Pakistan 7/4, England 4/9 - Match Prices) on Tuesday.

The tourists went into the match on the back of recent newspaper allegations of a plot to bowl no-balls to order which saw three players suspended by the ICC. And, just hours before the game on Sunday, the News of the World claimed a fourth Pakistani is being investigated by the ICC's anti-corruption unit on suspicion of match-fixing.

However, Afridi (6/1 Top Pakistan Batsman 2nd T20), whose side managed just 126 from their 20 overs, was encouraged that they had England on the rack at 62-5 at half way. But Pakistan let the world champions off the hook as Eoin Morgan (33) and man-of-the-match Michael Yardy (35) added an unbroken 67 from 43 balls to guide them home with 17 balls remaining.

Afridi said: "The way my boys played, I am very happy. At one time it looked like we were going to win this game, but Morgan and Yardy played very well.

"We missed some opportunities, like catches and run-outs. So next time I hope we will avail these opportunities. In this kind of cricket, fielding is a main weapon if you want to win."

As for the latest allegations, Afridi added: "We have to play cricket. After what has been going on for a week or 10 days, it's been very difficult.

"But this is my job and the coach's job, to lift the morale and keep the guys in high spirits."