http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-Pathan-c1601 after emphatic 3rd ODI win – Cricket News Update
Indian all-rounder, Suresh Raina, lauded the supporting effort of Irfan Pathan following his side’s emphatic third ODI win against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, where their match-winning, 92-run stand helped the side take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
The two men joined hands when the tourists needed just over a hundred runs, with the asking rate creeping up to nine an over. In reply to Sri Lanka’s imposing 286, the Men in Blue had started efficiently before losing their way in the middle-overs.
After being well placed at 180 for 2, the first over of the batting Powerplay saw http://www.senore.com/Cricket/G-Gambhir-c1447 fell prey to Thisara Perara.
Raina and Pathan then stood tall against the Lankan attack, taking singles, doubles and dispatching timely boundaries. Both added an unbeaten 92 off 67 balls, with the former making 65, while the latter giving excellent support by scoring 34.
The left-hander, who survived the hat-trick ball from Lasith Malinga and struck six fours and a signature heave for a six, was all praises of his partner Pathan.
“Of course there was pressure when Irfan bhai joined me in the middle. Had one of us departed early it would have been the end of our chase. But once http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-c64444 started to strike the ball cleanly, it eased a lot of pressure,”
“When that target got close, we kept telling each other not to throw it away. Irfan bhai proved once again that he is more than a handy batsman down the order and he, too, deserves accolades.” Raina stated.
The left-hander has not scored a hundred in an ODI since 2008, and has been criticized for his lack of conviction against the short ball, evident from his dull showings on tours of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. However, the sub-continental pitches have earned Raina
a streak of good starts, and he will be hoping to keep that run going by finishing things for his side in the remaining matches.
Both sides are set to meet for the 4th ODI in Colombo, on July 31st, where the Indians will be keen to seal the series.
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