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Pakistan Under-19 team
Sri Lanka Under-19 team
Sri Lanka, who have played all their Group B matches of the ongoing ACC Under-19 Asia Cup on the
flat tracks of Sharjah, face their moment of truth when they come up against a strong Pakistan pace attack in the first semi-final on a green surface in Dubai today.
“This is the biggest challenge we have, if we are good enough to beat Pakistan, we will be good enough to beat anyone in the finals, that’s how I see it,” said Sri Lanka Under-19 Head Coach Avishka Gunawardene, speaking to the Daily FT from the UAE.
“The final will also be played at a different venue in Dubai. If our batsmen adjust themselves quickly and handle Pakistan’s pace attack on this track, I think they will handle the final very well.”
“Looking at the tournament, Pakistan, we all know, have good fast bowlers, and they are the ones who have been taking the bulk of the wickets. We need to handle them well. The key is to make sure our batsmen, whether they bat first or second, don’t lose too many wickets in the first 10-12 overs.
“We don’t have time to adjust, we just go and get into the game. How our batsmen adjust to the conditions and handle Pakistan’s pace will decide the fate of the match. Pakistan has been playing all their matches in Dubai on this ground and they have that advantage. They look like the best side in the tournament. They beat India and they looked ruthless against Afghanistan, so they are probably ranked no. 1 in this tournament.”
“We have been playing good cricket, we’ve won 10 of our last 12 games we have played so far. When it comes to confidence, they have it, but it’s all about handling situations and handling Pakistan’s pace attack upfront. That will be the challenge because the wicket looks slightly green and it might have a little bit of bounce and pace. It’s a completely different track to what we’ve been training and playing in Sharjah.”
Gunawardene said that fast-bowler Matheesha Pathirana was not 100% yesterday morning when he spoke to him, and if he is not fit, they may have to bring in another fast bowler. There was also an injury concern ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup next month with Sri Lanka’s reserve wicketkeeper Sadeesh Jayawardena dislocating his thumb during practice. Sri Lanka will need to send their final 15 for the World Cup at the end of the Asia Cup tournament.
Sri Lanka came through the group stages beating Kuwait and Nepal and having a no-result against Bangladesh due to two umpires officiating in the match testing COVID-19 positive. Pakistan beat UAE, India and Afghanistan on their way to the semi-finals.
The second semi-final today is between India and Bangladesh in Sharjah. – (ST)
