Athapaththu stated that Kulasuriya adopted her instructions phrase for phrase. It was all about denying the batters Riaz and Dar the room they wanted to hit the ball over the 25-yard circle, which grew to become doubly vital as a result of, at that second, Sri Lanka had been additionally coping with an over-fee penalty. They may have solely three fielders (one lower than the same old 4 in ladies’s cricket) outdoors the circle within the final over.
“After 14 years, we are in the final of the Asia Cup,” Athapaththu stated. “So it’s really good for us as a team, as a nation. We are really excited today. And I’m very happy about my team’s performance today. All players doing really well today.
“We deliberate a couple of issues yesterday. We know Nida is a tough-hitter of Pakistan. Achini Kulasuriya is a extremely good, skilled bowler in our bowling line-up. I at all times belief her, and I do know she will do it.”
Riaz, who was at the non-striker’s end when Pakistan needed three off the last ball, said that since it was hard to find boundaries, they might as well have tried for the two needed to take the game into the Super Over.
“I and Nida talked that if the boundary didn’t come, we’d go for 2 runs,” Riaz said. “Unfortunately, it did not occur. [Kulasuriya] bowled effectively, she bowled yorkers. On the final supply, Nida tried to place it over additional cowl however sadly, she couldn’t join effectively sufficient.”
Sri Lanka reacted impressively to take the lifeline they had earned thanks to Maroof’s wicket and it was all down to their captain urging the players to stay relaxed.
“I simply instructed my staff to stay with our plans,” Athapaththu said. “We didn’t wish to do extra issues. Just chill out, calm and cool, do our issues. They do no matter they wished to do, however we wish to stick to our plans.
“Inoka bowled really well in that [19th] over. I have two good spinners and two good senior players especially vice-captain Oshadi and Inoka. If I have to take a decision, they advise me about taking them.
Riaz said that Pakistan had a good tournament but it would have been better had they made it to the final to face India. “Of course, it’s extremely disappointing. Everyone is unhappy. Everyone could be very emotional and it’s extremely exhausting for everybody.