VICTORIOUS PAKISTAN CAPTAIN MISBAH-UL-HAQ is relieved with the victory and from the situation it came about. Praises the partnership between Maqsood and Alam stating as one of the best he has ever seen. Is aware of some soft dismissals today as well but right now, wants to focus on the positives and the energy within the team due to this win. Admits that Pakistan once again failed at the death with the ball, adding that scoring 9-10 runs an over is not easy and hence, conceding more than 100 runs in the last 10 overs is unacceptable. On Irfan, he states that he is a wicket-taking bowler and hence was finished off early in the quest for wickets.
SOHAIB MAQSOOD HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH FOR HIS UNBEATEN 89 FROM 73 BALLS. Says that it was a special knock as he was coming back to cricket after a few months. On him dropping down the order, he answers that it was the coach’s choice and Maqsood is not too comfortable with it, but he is ready to adjust for his country. On his partnership with Alam, he says that the plan was to keep wickets in hand, see off Malinga and target the other bowlers. Hopes that this innings would be the start of many more to come.
SRI LANKAN SKIPPER ANGELO MATHEWS says that the wicket was good and the 5th wicket stand between Alam and Maqsood won Pakistan the game but opines that Sri Lanka were poor with the ball. With the bat, he says that they were targetting 280 and achieved it and it was a good score but Maqsood’s brilliance took it away from them. On Maqsood’s missed stumping chance, Mathews defends Sangakkara saying that the ball turned away and hence it got difficult for the keeper and overall, Pakistan batted well.
