Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, urged his bowlers to improve their death bowling in the third one-day international against Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Sunday.
Pakistan failed to defend a big 285-run target as Sri Lanka’s batsmen benefited from sloppy end-overs bowling to win the second one-day international by two wickets in Dubai on Friday, levelling the five-match series, 1-1.
Even in Pakistan’s narrow 11-run win in the first game in Sharjah on Wednesday, the Sri Lanka tail-enders cashed in on some poor end-overs bowling and nearly chased down a daunting 323-run target. Misbah said Pakistan were missing the experience of Mohammad Irfan and Umar Gul – both out with injuries.
“Death bowling is an issue for us. We need to address that if we want to win the series,” Misbah said after Friday’s game. “Our fast bowling is not experienced and we are missing the experience of Irfan, who had been doing well, and also missing Gul.”
Later on Saturday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Gul will join the squad as a cover for fellow paceman Junaid Khan, who is struggling with fitness.
“Gul will join the squad on Sunday as cover,” the PCB said.
Gul has not played international cricket since a one-day match in South Africa in March, before he underwent knee surgery.
He was not selected for the Sri Lanka one-day series, but he regained fitness and impressed with his form in domestic matches back home. On Friday, Sri Lanka needed a tough 85 in the last 10 overs when paceman Sohail Tanvir conceded 19 in one over, while Angelo Mathews (47) and Nuwan Kulasekara (32) upped the tempo in the last overs.
Sri Lanka needed 16 off the last two overs and four off the final one when Sachithra Senanayake hit a boundary to seal the win.
Misbah said he was happy with the batting, led by opener Ahmed Shehzad’s career best 124.
“I think our biggest problem used to be batting, but I am really happy the way the batting is going,” Misbah said.
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