ODI series: Letting the opportunities spill
Angelo Mathews was Sri Lanka’s hero with a splendid, unbeaten 80 as the tourists chased down the 248-run target with two balls to spare. With 15 needed off the final over, Mathews, who arrived when Sri Lanka were precariously placed at 97 for four in the 25th over, smashed Mohammad Sami for a couple of twos and a six before a boundary over cover sealed the result.
Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq credited the Sri Lankan but was at a loss explaining the reasons for the defeat.
"Mathews took the game away from us," said Misbah. "We were 15 to 20 runs short in our innings and they bowled well at the end. Again, our fielding let us down. We have to forget this and improve our performance in the Tests."
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene was a pleased man. "It was a great game," said Jayawardene. "The whole series was fantastic. We had to dig deep at times, and today was no different. It was a big call to play Jeevan Mendis today. We just need to focus on little things like we did in the ODIs.”
Mathews, named man of the match, was relieved after having an off-colour series.
“I haven't had the opportunity to bat since the first game,” said Mathews.
“But I was ready. I’m glad I did it today in front of an amazing crowd.”
The defeat marks a good tonic for Sri Lanka, who lost the last ODI series to Pakistan 4-1 in the UAE, ahead of the Test series that starts on June 22.
A slideshow of the match can be viewed here.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2012.
COMMENTS (10)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732626034-0/BeFunky-collage-(92)1732626034-0-165x106.webp "article")
1732622039-0/Express-Tribune-(8)1732622039-0-270x192.webp "saim ayub hits ton as pakistan hammer zimbabwe in second odi")
1732608486-0/BeFunk_§_]__-(54)1732608486-0.jpg "indian teenager breaks record as youngest player sold in ipl auction")
Cast you mind back to few months back in Asia Cup Final !! - How Aizaz Cheema- an intelligent and committed bowler not as flashy or quick as Sami bowled a great final over for Pak to defend 8 runs to win the Cup.In the traditions of great PCB Management You rewarded him by dropping him and bring back Sami (Talented but....) with all the hype and he fails to defend 15 runs ! Ironical but typical!
It seems that Mr. Ijaz Ahmad was a much better fielding coach than this guy who is charging hefty amount from PCB. Muhammad Sami is not a bowler of that caliber to be given last over. And even if given because the tail was batting then what happened...Sri Lankan wrapped up the match before time. By the way who was the genius behind Ajmal exclusion and Sami's inclusion. Do they have any comparison.
Umar Akmal couldn't score in the last 5 overs, there is deep conspiracy to loose. Who would give Sami the final over and why finish Umar Gul early? Bad captaincy mixed with politics. Its time to say bye to Misbah and Younis from ODI squad too. Learn from Australia, who dropped Ponting!!!!
This is the time The selectors should start thinking about the Selection, we dont need misbah and it will be good to groom a young captain like Ahmad Shahzad, or other wise i will like to see afridi to lead Pakistan team once more.
How many times shall Sami be given a chance? He has not matured on bit considering the number of ODIs played by him. He should know the line and length to bowl in death overs. The kind of bowling he did is done at club level!
A team who can't chase 240 and can't defend 250 is a very poor team.
Out of the four departments: Batting, Fast bowling, Spin Bowling and Fielding only spin gets the passing marks.
We need ATLEAST one fast bowling all rounder anddrastic improvment in fielding.
Pakistan need an all rounder, and who better than Abdul Razzaq. Look how the Aussies have used Watson, who is similarly talented like Razzaq. They open with him and he's their fourth seam bowler as well. Yesterday, we could have done with another bowler when Sami failed. All five bowlers can't always be on top of their game, just like all batsmen can't succeed in every match. That's why an all rounder can be priceless, he can plug the gap in either department. I would open with Razaaq and play him as the fourth seamer. And also find a batting wicketkeeper, there must be one in whole of Pakistan. Every other top nation has one, and the two all rounders gives the team so much more depth and flexibility. But then, what good is my opinion? There are people at the top who are masters of the game, and know so so much more. Pity they can't figure out the obvious. A great pity indeed.
Misbah is always miss( flop) in the team and so is Mr. Yunus, both must be axed. Where is Imran Nazeer? why is he not geven a chance. He is one who can change the compex of the game.
and what a performance by mohammad sami again :)
tourists chased down .. ?? i thought srilankans were the hosts :S