“We did not lose because of one person. We all lost as a team and especially, Mohammad Nawaz, you are still my match-winner, and I will always have the belief in you come what may,” he said in the dressing room.

India won by four wickets, with a star performance from former captain Virat Kohli. The Rohit Sharma-led side chased the 160-run target in the game’s final over bowled by all-rounder Nawaz. The left-arm spinner was given the ball when the team had to defend 16 runs in the final over in the jam-packed stadium.

Nawaz was hit six on one of the three extra deliveries by run machine Kohli he bowled. Video footage showed he covered his face after Ashwin hit the winning shot on the last ball of the 20th over when India needed one run off one ball.

“The tournament has just started, we have a lot of matches left, remember that.”

Babar, who was gone for a golden duck, admitted that the team made mistakes and called for not repeating those in the next games.

“As a team, we have lost, as a team, we will win. We have to stick together, remember that,” said the captain who leads one of the most fierce bowling attacks in the cricket world.

The world number three T20 batter described the thrilling contest as a “good” match.

“We put up efforts like we always do. The execution in the last over didn’t go according to the plan. Credit goes to the performance of [Indian] batsmen,” he said.

Babat called for making a fresh start. “As a team, we played very well. We have to continue this. Wish you all the best.”