Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews topped his career best score hammering 93 runs in the second ODI against Pakistan which helped the home team to level the three match series 1-1.He praised the seniors of the team for their guidance and experience which has helped him to be a better batsman and a complete player.
“I learned a lot from the seniors over time. That’s why they are so valuable to the team, and youngsters in the team should be thankful for their guidance,” said Mathews after the comprehensive 77-run win.
Even though Mathews posted his career best score, his hunger for the illusive ODI century yet remains to be fulfilled – dismissed in the 90s once again which is closest he came to a century in ODI cricket marking his 132nd ODI without a century so far.
“I’m disappointed. Didn’t throw it away either, I don’t understand where or what I’m doing wrong, but if the team wins, personal milestones aren’t that important to me.”He said that he was confident of scoring the elusive ODI ton.
Mathews said he was pretty confident of the win after getting 310 batting first in the second ODI against Pakistan as he claimed the wicket was getting slower with time even though Pakistan got off to a flyer, 98 runs in 12 overs, chasing 311 to win.
“Once the hardness of the ball went off, it was difficult to score runs. We knew the wicket was going to slow down.
“The wicket was turning for Afridi (Shahid) and Hafeez (Mohommad), so I knew our spinners would come to play and we had two genuine spinners and two part timers”
Mathews also put his confidence on the top order; although the main pace attack Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara have failed to shine in the series so far.
Kulasekara has been wicketless for seven ODI’s in a row now while Malinga leaked too many runs to their liking.
“Nuwan (Kulasekara) and Lasith (Malinga) have bowled well in the last few overs under pressure in many matches earlier. We can’t judge them in just two matches.
“We have to accept that we didn’t do too well. We didn’t see the best of Kulasekara or Malinga in these matches. They didn’t play much cricket prior to this series. But they can bounce back anytime.”
Sri Lanka also dropped Chandimal to make way for all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna. Prasanna too failed with the bat but bowled beautifully claiming two well set batsmen Mohammad Hafeez and Ahamed Shezad which turned the match towards the home team’s way.
“Chandimal was scoring runs in England. That’s why we brought him back to the side. We didn’t drop him because of his form. We thought six batsmen could do well on a slow wicket.”
Sri Lanka will now head to Dambulla to play the final ODI on Saturday which will be the series decider.
