Kumar Sangakkara top scored with a 58-run knock off 67 balls, as he laid the foundations for a Sri Lanka win in Dubai. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq urged his bowlers to improve their death bowling in the third One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Sunday.
Pakistan failed to defend a big 285-run target as Sri Lanka’s batsmen benefited from sloppy end overs bowling to win the second ODI by two wickets in Dubai on Friday, levelling the five-match series 1-1.
Even in Pakistan’s narrow 11-run win in the first game in Sharjah on Wednesday, Sri Lankan tail-enders cashed in on some poor end overs bowling and nearly chased down a daunting 323-run target.
Misbah said Pakistan needed to address the bowling issue if they wanted to win the ongoing series.
“Death bowling is an issue for us, we need to address that if we want to win the series,” said Misbah.
“Our fast bowling is not experienced and we are missing the need for experienced bowlers.”
Sri Lanka needed a tough 85 in the last 10 overs when pace man Sohail Tanvir conceded 19 in one over, while Angelo Mathews (47) and Nuwan Kulasekara (32) upped the tempo in the last overs.
Sri Lanka needed 16 off the last two overs and four off the final when Sachithra Senanayake hit a boundary to seal the win.
However, Misbah said he was happy with the team’s batting performance, led by opener Ahmed Shehzad’s career best 124.
“I think our biggest problem used to be batting, but I am really happy the way the batting is going on,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews praised a good team effort.
“We had to work very hard for this win,” said Mathews. “Everyone contributed in bits and pieces.”
He added the series would be close and tough for both the teams.“We hope to win the series but it will be an exciting one,” he said. “With Pakistan you have to fight all the time and need to be positive.”
Gul to join team in UAE
Fast-bowler Umar Gul is set to join the Pakistan squad for the remainder of the ODIs against Sri Lanka. The right-armer returns after spending the last nine months away from international cricket due to a knee injury.
The 29 year-old has represented the national team in 116 ODIs and is expected to join the team tomorrow. His return is set to bolster the inexperienced Pakistan pace attack.
Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in second ODI
Pakistan had salt rubbed into their wounds when they were fined for their slow over-rate during the defeat on Friday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said Misbah’s team were one over short during the time allotted for the 50 overs.
“Match referee David Boon of Australia imposed the fines after Pakistan was ruled to be one over short of its target, after time allowances were taken into consideration,” the ICC said in a statement.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2013.
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