Dambulla: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has called for improvement in bowling and fielding after losing by 14 runs against Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking in the post-match presentation, Agha reflected on the match and admitted that despite a strong performance with the bat, Pakistan’s shortcomings with the ball and in the field were decisive.
“It was a great game. We batted well but we gave away a bit too much with the ball. When it comes to bowling and fielding, we need to be better,” Agha said.
The Pakistan skipper hailed Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka’s game-defining cameo, admitting that once the hard-hitting all-rounder settled in, he swung the game in the hosts’ favour.
Agha felt that if Pakistan had been able to extend their batting effort, the outcome could have been different.
“He (talking about Dasun Shanaka) is a great batsman, he can destroy any bowling whenever he goes and that’s what he did for us. If I had batted three or four more overs, it would have been a close game,” he added.
Expressing satisfaction with Pakistan’s batting approach overall, Agha reiterated the need for improvement in the bowling department, assuring that the team is working hard to resolve issues ahead of the upcoming assignments.
“I’m happy with the batting unit and the way we approached the chase. It would have been smart if we chased it, but that’s how cricket goes. We need to improve the bowling and we’re doing that. We’ll be fine in the coming games,” he concluded.
Vanindu Hazaranga’s game-changing innings combined with captain Dasun Shanaka’s innings helped Sri Lanka win by 14 runs.
The Pakistan team, which came into the field with a target of 161 runs to win, scored only 146 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.
The visitors suffered an early blow when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed by Eshan Malinga for nine runs off 7 balls, including 2 fours.
Salman Ali Agha, along with Saim Ayub in a counter-attacking stance, hit back-to-back fours to take Pakistan past 50 in the fourth over.
However, Madisha Pathrana dismissed Agha for a blistering 45 off 12 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes to break a 51-run partnership as Pakistan were 60-2 in 3.4 overs.
Pakistan’s innings lost momentum as Wanindu Hazaranga struck twice in his first over, Saim Ayub for a five-ball six and Usman Khan for a three-ball one to reduce the visitors to 67-4 in 4.5 overs.
Khawaja Nafai and Mohammad Nawaz looked to settle the chase with a 49-run partnership as Pakistan crossed the 100-run mark in the eighth over.
Hazaranga returned to dismiss Nafai at 116-5 in 9.1 overs with 26 off 15 balls, including a four and a six. He then dismissed Shatab Khan for three balls including a six.
Pathrana clean bowled Nawaz for 28 off 15 balls with two fours and two sixes. With 20 runs needed in the last over and only two wickets in hand, Pakistan were in dire straits.
Faheem Ashraf was run out for a quick single and Pakistan managed to score just 5 runs in the final over, 147-8. Mohammad Wasim Jr remained unbeaten on 7 and Naseem Shah remained unbeaten on one run.
For Sri Lanka, Hazaranga led the bowling with impressive figures of 4-35 in three overs. Pathrana took two wickets and Malinga one wicket.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, who were asked to bat first, lost opener Padum Nisanga to Naseem Shah in the opening over.
Kamil Mishara played aggressively, scoring 20 off eight balls with 3 fours and a six before Mohammad Wasim Jr dismissed him at 22-2 in 1.5 overs.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Gusal Mendis then rebuilt the innings with a 32-run partnership as Sri Lanka crossed the 50-run mark in the fifth over.
De Silva scored 22 off 15 balls before being dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz on the first ball of the sixth over, with the score at 54-3.
Charit Asalanga was supported by Mendis as the pair took Sri Lanka past 100 in the ninth over. When Wasim Jr. Mendis hit 30 off 16 balls, Pakistan pulled back at 46 runs.
Faheem Ashraf then dismissed Asalanga for 21 off 13 balls and Sri Lanka were 102-5 in 9.1 overs.
Captain Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu Lienake provided the late impetus.
Shanaka smashed 34 runs off nine balls with five sixes, while Lienake remained unbeaten on 22 runs off eight balls including three fours and a six.
Vanindu Hazaran finished unbeaten on one run as Sri Lanka posted a match total.
For Pakistan, Wasim Jr was the best bowler with figures of 3-54 from three overs, while Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf claimed a wicket each.