Gary Kirsten says Pakistan's poor decision-making was the deciding factor in their six-run defeat to India at the T20 World Cup on Sunday.
The result leaves Pakistan bottom of Group A following their shock loss to the United States in their opening game of the tournament.
Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, Pakistan were aided by rain interruptions and dismissed their opponents for 119.
They also made a good start with the bat as Mohammad Rizwan laid the platform for the chase after scoring 31 from 44 balls.
However, their middle-order batters failed to step up as Jasprit Bumrah (3-14) made crucial breakthroughs and bowled 15 dot balls to maintain India's unbeaten start to their campaign.
"Disappointing loss, that's for sure," Kirsten said shortly after the defeat.
"I knew 120 was not going to be an easy target. If India got only 120, it was always going to be not the easiest. But I think we had the game at 72 for 2 with six or seven overs left. Disappointing not to get across the line from the position we got ourselves into."
Kirsten was asked where the game slipped from their hands. "Decision-making," he said.
"You have got the game on, run a ball, eight wickets in hand, decision-making at that point. That's the game. That's international cricket for you.
"You make mistakes like that, you are going to pay. I thought we made some poor decisions at important phases of the game. I thought Rizwan played well for us. We knew it was going to be a tough wicket to bat on. We managed the chase very well but then just let it slip in the end."
Pakistan travel to New York to face Canada on Tuesday with India squaring off against the hosts at the same venue a day later.
Rohit Sharma credits Jasprit Bumrah after India impress against Afghanistan
Rohit Sharma singled out Jasprit Bumrah for particular praise after his starring role in India's impressive win against Afghanistan.
India secured a 47-run victory in their opening T20 World Cup match in Barbados on Thursday, with Bumrah the star of India's bowling attack.
Suryakumar Yadav also caught the eye with a sublime 28-ball 53 to propel India to 181-8 from their 20 overs.
But Bumrah skittled Afghanistan's top order, finishing with figures of 3-7 as India moved top of Group One before Australia face Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters, Rohit said: "Everyone came in and did their job, that's critical and we dwell on it. SKY (Suryakumar and Hardik's partnership was critical at that point.
"We needed someone to bat deep which they did. We know Bumrah's class and what he can do. It was important for us to use him smartly regardless of conditions.
"He's willing to show responsibility and he's been doing it for years."
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan impressed, as did the tournament's leading wicket-taker Fazalhaq Farooqi as they took three wickets each.
It was not enough, though, as Afghanistan were dismissed for 134 off the final ball - Arshdeep Singh taking 3-36.
"We knew we'd be chasing 160-170 given it was against a bigger team," Khan said. "We could've done it had we executed smarter.
"My bowling has been coming out well. I struggled early in the IPL but am hitting the right areas consistently, but it's the match result that matters most.
"We've enjoyed our cricket everywhere but our mindset is what matters. If the conditions are helpful, we'll use it depending on if it's a batting or bowling track."
Suryakumar and Bumrah lead India to big win over Afghanistan
Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah led India to a 47-run defeat of Italy at the T20 World Cup on Thursday.
India started their Super 8s campaign in style in Barbados, with Suryakumar's 28-ball 53 propelling them to 181-8 from their 20 overs.
Virat Kohli added 24, with Hardik Pandya contributing a useful 30 too, though Fazalhaq Farooqi, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, finished with impressive figures of 3-33.
Yet Farooqi was outshone by Bumrah, who was the star of India's bowling attack.
Bumrah took 3-7 as he skittled through Afghanistan's top order, reducing them to 23-3 inside five overs.
Arshdeep Singh (3-36) rounded matters off, sending Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq and Noor Ahmad packing to bowl Afghanistan all out for 134.
The victory sent India to the top of Group One, ahead of Australia's clash with Bangladesh.
Data Debrief: More history for Kohli
Kohli might have taken a backseat in this win, but his haul of 24 saw him move onto 4,066 runs in T20Is.
That makes Kohli India's record run scorer in the format, with the 35-year-old having surpassed Rohit Sharma (4,050).
Powell defends decision to leave out McCoy against England
West Indies fans were left perplexed when pacer Obed McCoy was left out of the XI to play England in their opening Super 8 encounter at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia on Wednesday.
The Vincentian left-arm quick took 3-14 from three overs in the last group stage game against Afghanistan at the same venue after coming into the team for Romario Shepherd who left the squad to attend the birth of his second child.
Historically, McCoy’s eight wickets in three games at the venue is the third most among active cricketers with only Pakistan Saeed Ajmal with 11 wickets in five games and Hayden Walsh Jr with 12 wickets in five games ahead of him.
Despite these statistics, McCoy was left out of the team that suffered a brutal eight-wicket loss on Thursday.
Shepherd, who came back into the side in place of McCoy, conceded 41 runs in two overs.
His last over was belted for 30 runs by Phil Salt who finished 87*.
West Indies Captain Rovman Powell defended the call to leave McCoy out of the side.
“I think when you're selecting a team and you have players that are playing good you will always have to make the tough decision. We sat down as a selection group and thought that the team that played today is our better team to face England and it just didn't work out tonight,” Powell said in a post-match press conference.
The hosts will next take on joint hosts the USA in Barbados on Friday before facing South Africa in their final Super 8 game in Antigua on Sunday.
Despite Wednesday’s loss, the West Indies still have their fate in their own hands as wins in those two games will see them having a good chance of making it to the last four.
“I think our destiny is still in our own hands. It's just for us to continue to play good cricket. And once we do that, we think we'll be ok,” Powell said.
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