Pakistan’s batting unit is operating at only about 70 per cent of its potential, batting coach Mike Smith said on Tuesday after an eight-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka exposed top-order frailties ahead of the One-day International tri-series final.
The hosts were bowled out for 110 in 25.3 overs at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Sri Lanka replied with 114 for two in 18.1 overs to secure a place in Saturday’s title clash against the same opponents and knock England out of contention.
Coach assesses collapse, looks to final
Smith said the side had done well to reach the final but was still short of the level required with the bat. He described the collapse as a mix of soft shots and strong bowling, and said Pakistan never built momentum. The team, he added, would review the innings and talk through the issues with the batting group before the final.
He insisted the result would not decide Saturday’s match, arguing that Pakistan had already shown they can recover from difficult positions. He refused to blame the Lahore pitch, saying sides must adapt to different conditions.
Smith also stood by Babar Azam, who made 29 off 33 balls with five fours before falling leg-before. The coach said the hardest part of batting is getting set, and that Babar has been doing that easily at times; if one of those starts had become a big score, he suggested, criticism would fade. He called out-of-form opener Fakhar Zaman a world-class player who could still deliver a decisive innings in the final.
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi struck a similar note, saying the team must forget this match, prepare for the final, and bat stronger when it matters.
How Sri Lanka took control in Lahore
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis chose to bowl first. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka removed Fakhar for five in the fourth over and finished with a career-best five for 34, bettering his previous best of five for 80 against India at the 2023 World Cup. Maaz Sadaqat made eight and Saad Baig five as early wickets piled up. Babar’s dismissal left Pakistan at 61 for five. Salman Ali Agha (nine), Shadab Khan (two) and Hasan Nawaz (17) also fell cheaply before Madushanka wrapped up the tail. Shaheen made 15 off 13 balls with two sixes. Sahan Arachchige took two for 24; Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga and Dunith Wellalage took one each.
In the chase, Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando put on 50 for the first wicket in 6.5 overs. Avishka fell for 16, pulling Shaheen to Fakhar; Kusal Mendis made eight before Arafat Minhas bowled him in an unusual ricochet dismissal. Kamindu reached his fifth ODI half-century with a six off Shaheen and finished unbeaten on 62 from 60 balls (eight fours, two sixes). Pavan Rathnayake was 23 not out as the chase ended with a boundary.
Kusal Mendis said the team had executed its plans and praised Madushanka’s bowling. Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk said the side had bounced back after conceding 430 in the previous match against England, focusing on positive, aggressive bowling and clearer execution. He said Madushanka’s short ball makes his fuller length more dangerous.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Previous match: Sri Lanka chased 430 to beat England in a record chase.
- Tuesday: Pakistan all out for 110; Sri Lanka win by eight wickets and book the final; England are eliminated.
- Thursday: England’s remaining match against Sri Lanka becomes a dead rubber.
- Saturday: Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the tri-series final.
- 2023 World Cup: Madushanka’s previous best figures were five for 80 against India.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ko Sri Lanka se bari shikast hui aur team sirf 110 runs bana saki. Batting coach Mike Smith ne kaha ke batting abhi sirf lagbhag 70 percent pe chal rahi hai. Final Saturday ko dobara Sri Lanka ke khilaf hai. Coach aur captain dono kehte hain ke is haar ko bhool kar final mein mazboot batting karni hogi.
