Hesson Praises Pakistan’s Performance Despite Minor Fielding Errors

Mike Hesson praised Pakistan’s performance in their recent match against Sri Lanka, despite minor fielding errors. Pakistan is currently in Dambulla to acclimatize to conditions ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Thrilling Victory in Dambulla

Pakistan showcased a commanding performance, defeating Sri Lanka by eight wickets with 23 balls remaining. Hesson noted that aside from some fielding lapses, the overall execution was impressive, particularly the bowling. Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to just 128 runs, setting a solid foundation for their victory.

Bowling Excellence

• Pakistan’s bowlers were instrumental in the victory, with Shadab Khan taking 2 wickets for 25 runs.
• Abrar Ahmed excelled with 3 wickets for 25 runs, demonstrating the effectiveness of Pakistan’s spin attack.
• Hesson remarked on the significant impact of their spinners, stating, “The way we attacked the stumps let us control the game.”

Hesson expressed satisfaction with the spinners’ performance, noting their preparation and ability to adapt to conditions. Shadab’s return after a shoulder injury added depth to the bowling unit, with both he and Abrar exploiting the Sri Lankan batters’ weaknesses against spin.

Strength in Depth

Pakistan’s spin options extend beyond just Shadab and Abrar, as highlighted by Hesson. The inclusion of all-rounders like Mohammad Nawaz provides versatility, affirming the strength of Pakistan’s spin bowling resources.

Despite not using Saim Ayub, currently the top-ranked all-rounder in the ICC T20I rankings, Hesson emphasized the team’s depth in bowling choices. He mentioned, “We’ve spent the last six months getting all those guys bowling well.” This readiness places Pakistan in a strong position heading into the World Cup.

Batting Line-Up

While the batting lineup faced little challenge in this match, Hesson noted the eventual return of Babar Azam from the Big Bash League (BBL). Babar’s presence will add stability and cohesion to the batting order. Hesson concluded, “Babar provides a contrast to our batting group. He brings everyone together.”

As Pakistan continues to fine-tune their game, they remain focused on their upcoming T20 World Cup challenges, building on the strong performance seen in Dambulla.