Fourth ODI in Sharjah-Pothas urges team to put up a fight

20 October 2017 10:02 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Nic Pothas, the Sri Lanka Coach, urged his team to stem the rot and put up a fight when they take on Pakistan in the fourth ODI at Sharjah today (20).

“I’d just like to see a bit more fight,” said Pothas. “I am not seeing that character coming out at the moment and I hope we do it sooner than later.”

Sri Lanka suffered its first-ever ODI series loss to Zimbabwe 2-3 in July before going down 0-5 to India in August-September.

They are due to tour India next month for three Tests, and as many ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals.

“We can have so many meetings and that many practices, but once you cross that line you need to show a little bit of fight,” added Pothas.

“It’s a tough situation. I agree that we have been there. We have seen the same thing happening over and over again, and something needs to change soon.”

Sri Lanka has Seekkuge Prassana, the leg-spinning all-rounder, on the bench and may bring him in place of the struggling Milinda Siriwardana.

Meanwhile, Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan Captain, wanted his team to keep its ruthless approach going in despite having taken an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Sarfraz termed the ODI series win as a great fight back after losing the preceding two-match Test series 0-2.

“It’s a matter of great happiness that we have won the series 3-0 but I hope that we will play the remaining matches with the same spirit,” said Sarfraz.

“It is a good comeback after the Test series loss; we have done well in all departments.”
Sarfraz praised his young players, led by Hasan. “Both Hasan and Shadab Khan (the leg-spinner) are going well and improving day by day. They are learning from their mistakes and it’s a welcome sign that they are improving. Babar Azam is doing well, so it’s great to have them (the young guns) in the side.”

He singled out Imam as one for the future. “I am happy for Imam, it was his first match and he scored a hundred, which is great,” said Sarfraz. (ICC)

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Comments - 18

ara Friday, 20 October 2017 10:19 AM

play seven batsman to give us a chance to post a decent score

Aquarius Friday, 20 October 2017 10:44 AM

Take a second look at the batting coach - this was our celebrated "thattu king". Our limited-overs scoring have dropped to snails-pace and they struggle to survive the 50 overs. Our young cricketers have immense talent but need the right coaching.

ANTON Friday, 20 October 2017 10:52 AM

FROM TIME TO TIME I CAN WATCH TNA WRESTLING ON THE OTHER CHANNEL.

amaran Friday, 20 October 2017 11:10 AM

Best wishes to our team. BUDUSARANAI

BV Friday, 20 October 2017 12:09 PM

How badly Sri Lankens are underestimated.Can't we find a reputed former Sri lanken cricketer to be our coach .

Wise Donkey Friday, 20 October 2017 12:54 PM

Deduct 50% from the fee from any player who contributes less than 50 runs.We don't see any commitment with our players now. A school boy team will fare much better than these guys. Losing is something and getting hammered is another thing. Shame!

Dan Friday, 20 October 2017 01:19 PM

Simple. Change the captain and restore Chandimal as captain for ODI's too. That will boost his confidence and bring back his batting form too. If necessary Upul Taranga should play as a batter.

Hunna P Friday, 20 October 2017 02:05 PM

Might win today as we tentatively won the test series 2-0 but we cannot understand your plans/strategies for the future of main 2 formats :ODIs,tests

Casanova Friday, 20 October 2017 03:10 PM

Take a look at the 1996 world cup winning team, most of them were educated in leading schools, that brought some leadership quality which is very important, select some good players at least about 4 to 5 from leading schools and that will bring a difference.

Sri Lankan Friday, 20 October 2017 03:12 PM

Why aren't Tamils and Muslim boys playing in the national team? at least 1 each will bring prosper.

sena Friday, 20 October 2017 05:00 PM

who is murali and maharuf

Sri Lankan Saturday, 21 October 2017 01:42 PM

Sena you Banana, Am not talking about players who played 20 years ago mate,at least 1 each from the minority at all times must be playing, the selectors show racism, give facre chances to everyone.

Hunna P Friday, 20 October 2017 04:09 PM

Sanga Mahela future plan,before their retirement for WC has been changed and new corrupt cricket culture caused the downfall.

Ajja Friday, 20 October 2017 05:33 PM

Ohoma yang till we achieve 20-0 World Record

nick Friday, 20 October 2017 06:35 PM

After this tournament lot of people going to get sacked maybe those two in the picture first via DM Android App

nissanka Saturday, 21 October 2017 02:37 PM

we just see our cricket team getting beaten in the field but there is a darker picture behind the scene. Till the correct people hold the chairs in the SLC this will be the routine... hopefully since there is nothing left to win guess will loose 5-0 and T20 3-0 and change of coach, captain, management and board president....

TONY Saturday, 21 October 2017 05:39 PM

WE HAVE CHANGED THE SELECTORS, GOT CONSULTANTS, NEW SET OF COACHES. BUT OUR PERFORMANCE HAS NOT CHANGED, WHY, BECAUSE ITS THE SAME TEAM THAT KEEPS PLAYING WHO DONT PERFORM AND STILL THEY ARE IN THE PLAYING 11. UNLIKE IN INDIA, IF THEY DO NOT PERFORM THEY ARE DROPPED FROM THE TEAM AND THEIR REPLACEMENT PERFORMS SO WELL THAT THEY CANNOT BE DROPPED AFTER THAT. EACH PLAYER HAS TO FIGHT FOR HIS PLACE IN INDIA, BUT IN OUR COUNTRY YOUR PLACE IS SECURED EVEN IF YOU FAIL TO PERFORM

Loving Sri lankan Saturday, 21 October 2017 06:14 PM

Please stop selecting friends to team there are good players who has born with inherited talents in the country.like Sanath murali arawinda vass malinga, asela. Select a team from that type of players and train them. and select players who can play at any pressure like Sanath murali arawinda vass malinga, asela. Others are just like passengers. thilanga go home

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Fourth ODI in Sharjah-Pothas urges team to put up a fight

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