LAHORE: Sri Lanka’s fast bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk praised his pace unit for showing strong character and bouncing back after conceding over 400 runs in the previous game, as Sri Lanka bundled Pakistan out for just 110 and registered an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the ODI tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
Addressing the media after Sri Lanka’s dominant bowling performance, van Niekerk said the key behind the dramatic turnaround was a clear shift in mindset and better execution of plans. Van Niekerk said his fast bowlers recovered brilliantly after a tough outing in Rawalpindi where they leaked over 400 runs. He emphasized that the key behind the turnaround was bowling with a clear “wicket-taking mentality,” greater aggression and far more consistent execution of their tactical plans.
“They bowled with a wicket-taking mentality and a lot more aggression. The execution of our plans was far better than the last game,” he noted. Comparing conditions between Rawalpindi and Lahore, van Niekerk said the two venues offered contrasting challenges. While Rawalpindi offered a skidding surface with heavy dew that made bowling difficult in the second innings, the new Lahore track played slightly slower with a tennis-ball bounce and extra grass cover. He added that cutter variations gripped and held during Pakistan’s second-innings bowling spell.
Highlighting Dilshan Madushanka’s match-winning spell of 5 for 34 – his career-best figures – van Niekerk praised the young left-arm pacer’s ability to combine raw swing with an effective bouncer.
“Dilshan bowled really well. He combines swing with a very effective bouncer. His aggressive bouncers complement his front-foot delivery really well,” he said, while also commending the entire unit’s discipline, highlighting that the bowling attack conceded just one wide in 25 overs.
He also praised the synergy within the pace unit, stating that Madushanka, Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando complement each other effectively and have shown significant progress throughout the tournament.
“Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando also bowled really well. All three pacers complement each other. The group is learning and improving with every game,” van Niekerk said. Clarifying Sri Lanka’s toss decision, van Niekerk said it was not strictly predetermined. With a brand-new pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium, the management wanted to evaluate conditions on the spot before deciding to bowl first.
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