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

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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