3rd ODI: Mathews moans over dropped Hafeez catch

Mistake played a crucial role in loss, says Sri Lanka captain.

SHARJAH:

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews admitted dropping a catch of Pakistan centurion Mohammad Hafeez played a crucial role in his team’s defeat in the third one-day match in Sharjah.

Fast bowler Lasith Malinga dropped a sitter at long-on when Hafeez was on 26 in the 18th over on Sunday. The Pakistan vice-captain went on to hit a career-best 140 not out in his team’s imposing total of 326 for five in 50 overs.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 213 in 44.4 overs, losing by 113 runs and conceding a 2-1 lead. Pakistan won the first match by 11 runs while Sri Lanka took the second by two wickets.

Mathews said the dropped catch was crucial.

“It was pretty crucial and Hafeez went on to get a big one. He got them a big score and it was unfortunate we let him go,” said Mathews.

Mathews said his team’s otherwise good fielding was not up to the mark on Sunday.

“We can’t blame it on one man, to be honest. I thought our fielding was also a let-down.”

Mathews said Umar Gul’s return from injury was a boost for Pakistan.

“We all know that Gul is a very good bowler,” said Mathews of the pace man who took two early wickets in his first spell of five overs, before finishing with three for 19.

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq also hailed Gul’s return.

“We were missing his experience in the death (final) overs and his return has certainly boosted our bowling,” said Misbah, who chipped in with a 26-ball 40 in Pakistan’s innings.

Shehzad fined half fee for pushing Dilshan

Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has been fined 50% of his match fee for pushing Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan during the third one-day game, the sport’s governing body said Monday.

The charge had been laid by the on-field umpires Johan Cloete of South Africa and Pakistan’s Shozab Raza, as well as third umpire Richard Illingworth from England and fourth umpire Ahsan Raza of Pakistan.

The incident happened at the end of the 19th over of the Sri Lanka innings when Shehzad got involved in a debate with Dilshan, which ended with the former pushing the Sri Lanka opener’s shoulder.

Jayawardene back for Test series

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene has returned to Sri Lanka’s squad for the three-match Test series against Pakistan starting later this month, the cricket board said on Monday.

Jayawardene, who opted out of the ongoing limited-overs series for personal reasons, was named in the 16-man squad led by all-rounder Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.

Vishwa Fernando, a 22-year-old left-arm seamer, is the new face in the squad. All-rounder Dilruwan Perera, who is yet to play Test cricket after seven limited-overs appearances, was also picked by the selectors ahead of unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis.

The first Test starts in Abu Dhabi on December 31.

Test series

Sri Lanka squad

Angelo Mathews (c), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Vishwa Fernando, Sachithra Senananyake, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2013.

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