Lahore: Pakistan's top all-rounder Shahid Afridi has accepted responsibility for the team's defeat to South Africa in the final one-day international in Lahore and described his reckless dismissal as a nightmare.

"I couldn't sleep for the whole night thinking about the stroke I had played. I kept on thinking if I had not played that stroke, we could have won the match and the series," Afridi told PTI today.

Afridi was outstanding against South Africa in the one-day series after he opted to skip the two Tests against them for personal reasons. Pakistan lost the final match by 14-runs after requiring 15 from 22 balls with four wickets in hand with Afridi succumbing for nine playing a irresponsible stroke when cool head and singles were required at that moment.

Pakistan's coach Geoff Lawson has said his team, by losing the match to South Africa, had lost a big opportunity to go to India with their confidence on a high.

"I know if we had beaten South Africa it would have been a big boost for us before going to India. I can never forgive myself for the way I failed to take the team through to victory," Afridi said.

Source : PTI