DNA
Sri Lanka have won two of their three matches, including a commanding eight-wicket victory over Pakistan on Tuesday, to book a place in Saturday’s final against the hosts. England, meanwhile, have lost all three of their matches and will be playing for pride after their hopes of reaching the title decider ended with Pakistan’s defeat.
Sri Lanka’s bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk said his side had responded positively after conceding 430 runs against England in their previous meeting, focusing on a more aggressive approach and greater consistency in execution.
“We had to bounce back. It wasn’t too long ago that the same bowling unit went for 430,” van Niekerk said during the post-match press conference on Tuesday. “A lot of reflection, but bowling with a different intentionality — a mentality around taking wickets and looking to be really positive and aggressive around our bowling.”
He added that the bowlers’ ability to execute their plans more consistently had helped them seize control against Pakistan.
“A lot of the time we’ve got good plans, but just being able to execute them more consistently,” he said. “When you are taking wickets a little bit more regularly, then it does help with the momentum of the game. Our bowling group as a whole capitalised on that momentum, and I thought our execution was up there.”
Sri Lanka’s turnaround was led by left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka, who claimed a career-best five wickets for 34 runs as Pakistan were dismissed for just 110 in 25.3 overs. The Islanders then completed the chase in 18.1 overs, with Kamindu Mendis unbeaten on 62.
Van Niekerk praised Madushanka’s progress, highlighting how the young bowler’s bouncer had become an effective weapon alongside his ability to swing the ball.
“Dilshan’s a highly talented young bowler. He has all the skill sets. He swings the ball. He’s got a great bouncer,” he said. “When he bowls his bouncer really, really well, it makes his front foot really dangerous.”
The coach said Madushanka’s aggression, accuracy and discipline had helped him become more effective, while fellow fast bowlers Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando had complemented him well.
“I think that discipline mixed with that aggression and a wicket-taking mentality has certainly helped him continue to develop,” van Niekerk said, adding that the fast-bowling group had shown encouraging progress.
Thursday’s encounter will offer Sri Lanka another opportunity to assess their bowling combinations and conditions before the final. Van Niekerk said the Lahore surface had played reasonably well, although it appeared slower than the Rawalpindi pitch, where England and Sri Lanka produced a record-breaking contest.
Sri Lanka chased England’s 429-4 by scoring 430-8 in 49.5 overs, securing a two-wicket victory in one of the most remarkable matches of the series. Harry Brook’s 202 had put England in a strong position, but Sri Lanka’s batting response carried them over the line.
Van Niekerk said the Lahore wicket had offered a little more grip and a different type of bounce, while conditions in Rawalpindi had allowed the ball to skid on more. He added that Sri Lanka had not predetermined their decision to bowl first against Pakistan, noting that results at Gaddafi Stadium had been mixed for teams batting first and second.
England’s campaign suffered another painful setback on Sunday when they reduced Pakistan to 154-9 while defending 242, only for Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf to put together an unbeaten 89-run stand and secure a one-wicket win for the hosts.
With qualification no longer possible, England will aim to finish the tournament with a victory and carry some confidence into their next assignments. Sri Lanka, however, will be keen to sustain the discipline that transformed their bowling performance against Pakistan and take that form into Saturday’s final.
Van Niekerk also urged fans to continue supporting the tournament despite Tuesday’s short match, saying the series had provided plenty of high-quality cricket.
“The cricket that’s been played and what’s been on offer across all the matches has been unbelievable,” he said. “Good cricket wickets, three good teams. I hope they come and support in the next couple of days.”
