Mathews: We witnessed a great match
Captain Angelo Mathews found consolation in the performances of aspiring all-rounders Seekkuge Prasanna and Sachithra Senanayake, after Sri Lanka slipped to a 11-run defeat against Pakistan in Wednesday's first ODI in Sharjah.
Captain Angelo Mathews found consolation in the performances of aspiring all-rounders Seekkuge Prasanna and Sachithra Senanayake, after Sri Lanka slipped to a 11-run defeat against Pakistan in Wednesday's first ODI in Sharjah.
Pakistan climbed to a formidable total of 322 for five on the back of a fine century from all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, after which the opposition reached an insufficient 311 all out in 49.4 overs.
Sri Lanka's reply would have read considerably smaller, however, had Prasanna and Senanayake not scored a brave 42 each during a telling 87-run alliance inside eight overs for the eighth wicket.
"We witnessed a great match, especially the stand between Seekkuge and Sachithra. It is very pleasing to see how they fought," said Mathews.
Mathews had earlier lost the toss, with the vast and varied grips of Pakistan's spinners – Hafeez, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal – later genuinely tested by damp conditions.
"We knew that the dew would come into play, so we were happy to chase. I thought it was still a pleasing performance, so no need to panic," added Mathews.
The second ODI in the five-match series will get underway at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
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