News

Ineffective new-ball bowling cost us - Younis

Pakistan's captain Younis Khan said poor fielding and ineffective new-ball bowling cost his team the match

Sa'adi Thawfeeq
03-Aug-2009
Younis Khan leads a dejected team off the field after Pakistan's first ODI series defeat in Sri Lanka  •  AFP

Younis Khan leads a dejected team off the field after Pakistan's first ODI series defeat in Sri Lanka  •  AFP

Younis Khan has said his team's poor fielding and the inability to make early breakthroughs in the Sri Lankan innings were the reasons behind Pakistan's defeat in the third ODI in Dambulla. Sri Lanka took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, to record their first ODI series win against Pakistan at home.
"If you are defending 280-plus, fielding is important and our (poor) fielding made the difference in the match," Younis said.
Chasing Pakistan's score of 288, Sri Lanka's openers Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene put on a massive 202-run partnership, and laid the foundation for a comfortable victory. Younis praised the opening pair, but admitted Pakistan's bowling with the new ball was not effective. "Mahela and Upul put on a fantastic partnership of over 200. It was very easy for them after that, although we fought back with a couple of wickets," he said.
"On this wicket, if you don't take early wickets with the new ball you will lose the game."