Mathews took the game away from us: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 - Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 for having taken the game away from his side as the Men In Green succumbed to a 2-wicket defeat at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on June 18.
“The way Mathews played he took the game away from us,” said Misbah. “We were 15-20 short. They bowled well at the end. Again, the fielding let us down. They really gave us tough time, especially Angelo. Mendis played very well too.”
The match posed a do-or-die situation for Pakistan, with the pressure of levelling the 2-1 series hanging over their heads. The tourists had already suffered two consecutive defeats prior to the final ODI of the 5-match series – a 76-run loss on June 9 at Pallekele, followed by a 44-run defeat which saw a complete collapse of the Pakistani batting order.
However, Pakistan were denied, yet again, as an effective bowling performance by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 to secure a late victory (with 2 deliveries remaining), and clinch a series win.
Valiant half-centuries by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Akmal-c94595 (55*), enabled Pakistan to reach 247 by the end of 50 overs, but the batsmen were sorely troubled by the Lankan bowlers.
Kulasekara struck an early blow to the opposition when he dismissed opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Azhar-Ali-c46890 (who managed an unbeaten 81 in the previous match) and skipper Misbah.
Chasing 248, Sri Lanka lost their openers early, courtesy http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 was also caught and bowled by Afridi on duck.
However, a 78-run 3rd wicket stand between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LD-Chandimal-c1831 (54) steadied the innings, and Mathews, coming in at number 6, followed up with a solid, unbeaten 80. The hosts required 15 runs off the last over, but Mathews struck a four and a six, and these, combined with 4 runs and a wide, enabled him to steer his team to a thrilling victory.
Despite their disappointing defeat, the Pakistani skipper maintained that the team needed to put the loss behind them, and focus on the upcoming 3-match Test series, which starts on June 22.
“We have to forget this and improve our performance in the Tests,” he said.
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