Mubarak: The track did not help spinners

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Southern Express captain Jehan Mubarak was disappointed that his spinners didn't get to show off their skills in the Champions League T20 qualifiers, saying conditions did not help his bowlers.

Southern Express captain Jehan Mubarak was disappointed that his spinners didn't get to show off their skills in the Champions League T20 qualifiers, saying conditions did not help his bowlers.

The Sri Lankan side lost both their opening matches on the weekend, and wet conditions reduced the side's spin efficacy, as they were missing paceman Lasith Malinga, who had opted to play for Mumbai.

The Express lost to Mumbai on Sunday by nine wickets, as their bowlers failed to clamp down on a strong opening stand between Mike Hussey and Lendl Simmons, who scored 139 runs for the first wicket, needing just 162 to win.

Mubarak said after the game: "Obviously we missed Lasith Malinga in the bowling department. Well, I think we have a very good spin bowling attack, but spin is really not coming to the game in this condition.

"In the first game (against Northern Knights), we didn't bowl enough especially in the power play. On Sunday it was a pretty good effort from all the bowlers. The ball was really getting wet in the end and the spinners struggled with it."

The skipper was then asked if it was odd to play against countryman Malinga, and he said that while it was a bit strange, they also had an advantage in that they knew how he bowled, as Farveez Maharoof's 41 not out showed.

He added: "Yeah a little bit (odd) yes. They (Mumbai Indians) had spinners, we had planned to capitalise on spinners as Lasith is very good at the death overs. But you know we had a very good plan against him too.

"Maharoof played really good. He knew which offence to take against Lasith so his experience showed in the match we played."

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