Pakistan seek massive win vs Sri Lanka to keep semis hopes alive

Fast bowler Salman Mirza vowed on Friday that Pakistan will finish the Super Eights with a flourish against already-eliminated Sri Lanka, whether or not they still have hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Pakistan need to post a big victory Sri Lanka on Saturday to sneak into the final four on net run rate.

“It’s a critical situation as reaching the semi-final is not in our control,” Mirza told reporters

“But if we reach the semi-final we have the capability to do better,” Mirza said.

Pakistan’s campaign started on a nervy note with a three-wicket win in a thrilling last-over finish against the Netherlands before overcoming the United States and Namibia.

In between they lost heavily to India in a highly anticipated clash in Colombo.

Pakistan’s first Super Eight match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo before they lost to England and Harry Brook’s sparkling century in Kandy on Tuesday.

“We needed to win the match against England and that defeat has given us this position,” said Mirza.

After Brook was dismissed near the end of England’s run chase, Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the penultimate over.

Mirza bowled the final over with three runs to defend and two wickets to take for victory but Jofra Archer hit the first ball for four.

“I had the opportunity to become a hero in the final over, but I couldn’t grab that one,” said Mirza.

“Such opportunities do not come your way every day. Had I taken two wickets we would have won that match, but it was not to be.”

Meanwhile, The co-hosts remain determined to give their best and secure a victory against Pakistan, despite having been eliminated from the semi-final race.

Sri Lanka’s spin bowling coach, Rene Ferdinands, insists that the team will give their all and aim to finish their campaign on a winning note.

“We want to try to win it. We know that Pakistan is a good opposition. We respect them. But in every sense, we want to try to win. There’s never been any other question. So, we’re always looking to bounce back. And we’re preparing in that vein,” Ferdinands said.

The spin bowling coach praised the team’s spinners who have been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s run in the tournament. The trio of Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage have collectively claimed 25 wickets so far in the tournament.

“The spinners have performed well. And so, we were happy with that particular area of our game. Even in the last game (against New Zealand), you can see that they were performing very well.

“It was just the last bit of the bowling that was an issue. But yeah, they are not falling short of any of the competition.”

The performance stands out even more in the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, who sustained an injury during Sri Lanka’s opening game against Ireland, and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

Ferdinands discussed the challenges of playing in absence of Hasaranga, who is still in the top 10 positions of the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings.

“Well, clearly, if you have a player of high profile like that who is a world-class performer, any team that loses a world class performer is going to have challenges restoring the balance of the team.

“So, we have done our best and we have good replacements. And yeah, of course, that’s a challenge. And you never get two Wanindu Hasarangas as one.”

Agencies