After an easy 23-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second and final T20 international and levelling the series 1-1, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez said he was always confident his bowlers would be able to defend any target on a Hambantota pitch. Pakistan had managed only 122 after winning the toss but squared the two-match series by keeping the hosts to 99 here yesterday.
‘I don’t think the toss had decided the game. The innings Shahid Afridi played was the difference,’ Hafeez said after his first victory as captain.
‘He took us to a fighting target. I was always confident of defending 123, especially with our bowling attack. It was a blessing for me having so many wicket-taking bowlers like Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal. Sohail Tanvir was in good form too coming into this game.’ ‘I always knew that as long as we put in a good fielding effort, we could certainly defend this score.’ Hafeez also praised the improvement in his team’s catching.
‘We took our chances. Sri Lanka also dropped a couple but we too made similar mistakes in the first game,’ Hafeez said. ‘It was a complete team effort and everyone was keen to win the game,’ he said. UNI