After finding themselves in a tight spot in the ongoing second Test at Dubai, Nic Pothas, Sri Lanka’s interim coach, has admitted that the Islanders let themselves down.
After taking a massive 220-run lead in the first innings, Dinesh Chandimal & Co. had the chance to bat Pakistan out of the game and eventually the series, but a horror show with the bat has landed them in an unwanted situation. Throughout their second innings, Sri Lanka kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 96, setting Pakistan a target of 317.
“Pakistan, I must say bowled really well. Within that change room, we said that we let ourselves down. We are seven overs away from the new ball and if we can get a wicket or two early, it changes things. People say that Test cricket is dead, but it is a very exciting day tomorrow,” Pothas said on Monday (October 9).
“Facts are facts. But I thought it was a more of a missed opportunity today. Last night it was under lights, and it was difficult, but today – I don’t know. I am hard pressed to think of a ball that pitched leg and hit top of off,” he added.
Sri Lanka still had the hosts on the mat as they reduced them to 52 for five but an unbeaten 107-run stand between Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq has left the game evenly poised. However, Pothas was not critical of his team due to the failure to break the stand as he explained:
“I said at the beginning that we are playing against a quality team. There are going to be partnerships and you’ve got to accept that. You don’t expect a team of that quality to roll over. They played phenomenally well. When you take your chances, you get the rub of the green as well.”
Pothas is hopeful that the new ball, which will be available after seven overs will be decisive.
“Once the ball loses that hardness, it’s tough. But I thought that Chandi did a great job. Let’s see what happens tomorrow,” Pothas said.
“The new ball is going to play a major role. It has throughout the game. We still have seven overs left with the older ball. We have got to concentrate on that first and then let’s see what happens with the new ball. Wicket is going up and down a bit and new ball is going to be the key,” he concluded.