It was a good challenge to play quality fast bowling: Mathews

Former Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews said that it was a good challenge to play the quality fast bowling of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah on a wicket freshened by the stoppage for rain.

The two Pakistan quicks rattled the Sri Lanka top order reducing them to 54-4 before Mathews (64) and Dhananjaya de Silva (94*) resurrected the innings with a partnership of 131 for Sri Lanka to finish the first day on 242-6.

“We were up against a high-quality bowling lineup. Maybe due to the rain there was a little bit of stickiness and unevenness for a couple of hours. After lunch the wicket got better before it started turning for the spinners. That’s when we capitalised. Dhananjaya de Silva batted really well, pouncing on the loose balls,” said Mathews at the end of the day.

“The start was difficult, we had to battle our way. After a short period of rain, the bowlers were nippy. It enabled them to seam and swing the ball and land the seam on the wicket.”

“They are high quality bowlers and nothing can be taken away from them. They are used to bowling on flat decks. The wicket also made it tough for us. On a deck like this I haven’t seen many bowlers bowl the way Shaheen did. He was brilliant today. But it was a good challenge.”

Pakistan’s Head Coach Grant Bradburn said that he was happy with the performance put up by the fast bowlers.  

“Shaheen and Naseem had to put on a very special effort today on what was a batting friendly wicket. They simply responded very well,” said Braburn.  

“All the bowlers showed today the pace you bowl on this surface was important. Very pleased with where we are in the match at the moment. It’s nicely poised for tomorrow morning with the new ball not far away.” – (ST)