KKR need to improve on certain areas: Shakib

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) Following their five-run loss to Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has said the team needs to sit back and work on some areas before their must-win game against Rajasthan Royals here on Saturday.

"We conceded too many runs in the last five overs, thy scored around 70 runs. But I think we played our best and it was a close game. There are some areas we need to improve before the last game against Royals which is very crucial for us," Shakib said at the post-match press conference here on Thursday.

"We will give our 100 percent against Royals on Saturday and see what happens. Against Mumbai we started well with the ball. But the way we ended in the last five, that part we can improve. We should have finished the game against Mumbai after a few boys having scored runs. But we failed," he said.

The 28-year-old said the defeat was disappointing as a win might have put Kolkata into the play-offs but praised Kieron Pollard who bowled tight and defended 12 runs off the last over.

“Yes we are disappointed but these close games happen in Twenty20, one or two overs can change the game. Pollard bowled really well but we could have executed our shot selection a bit better," the left-handed all-rounder said.

"Sometimes luck goes against you and sometimes for you. But we gave our best in the game and came so close," he said.